Matsui Shuzo The Matsui Mizunara Cask 122 48% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (85)

A newer batch, I think. This is proper Japanese single malt, made at Kurayoshi in Tottori, south of Honshu. We've only ever tried the blended malts by Kurayoshi, which were not fully Japanese, so this is a first. Mizunara oak is said to be very rare, but more and more brands are using it, even Chivas mind you. Japanness keeps selling, apparently. Colour: very pale white wine. Nose: very all right, fresh, earthy, full of lemons and green apples, green melons, gooseberries, toffee apple, marshmallows… Some parsley and eucalyptus in the background, possibly from the mizunara oak (did you know they need 200 to 300 years to grow?) Mouth: like. Some herbal smoke, some green pepper, some tobacco, (bits from an untipped cigarette), surely pears, green bananas, cress, asparagus… Some dill and fennel in the background. Pretty different and I suppose that's the whole point. Finish: rather long, green, herbal, slightly bitter and astringent. Lovely breadier aftertaste (with poppy seeds and caraway). Comments: good fun. Vive la difference!

BOW (91)