Overview: Glengoyne Mizunara Oak is a highly sought-after single malt scotch whisky that has been aged in virgin mizunara barrels for 10 years. This unique and rare whisky combines flavors from sherry casks and mizunara oak, resulting in a complex and harmonious flavor profile.
The Full Story
Glengoyne Distillery, located just outside of Glasgow, has been owned by Ian Macleod Distillers for over 20 years. The distillery is situated on the dividing line between the Highland and Lowland regions, making it a unique case in terms of whisky production. Glengoyne’s focus has always been on producing sherry-cask-matured whisky, with notable exceptions such as their White Oak releases last year.
The new Glengoyne Mizunara Oak is part of the distillery’s Oak Masters’ Series and follows the release of White Oak 24. This single malt scotch has been aged for 10 years in first-fill and refill sherry casks, followed by an additional six years in Japanese mizunara oak. Notably, this secondary maturation process is a first in Scotch whisky.
Production & Profile
The Glengoyne Mizunara Oak is a 16-year-old single malt scotch that combines the rich flavors of sherry casks with the unique characteristics imparted by mizunara oak. The secondary maturation process has resulted in complex notes of incense, baked apple, cinnamon, and toasted nuts.
The whisky’s flavor profile is described as a melange of sometimes disparate flavors picked up from two very different types of casks that exist in harmony instead of fighting for dominance. This exceptional single malt scotch is bottled at high proof and comes with an MSRP of $400 per bottle, making it a rare find even among serious Scotch collectors.
Brand & Industry History
Glenfiddich was not the first to use Japanese oak barrels for their whisky. GlenAllachie distillery used virgin mizunara before and American whiskeys have also been aged in this type of oak. But it remains relatively scarce, especially when it comes to Scotch.
What This Means
The release of Glengoyne Mizunara Oak marks a significant milestone for the distillery and the industry as a whole. The use of mizunara barrels is still an emerging trend in whisky production, and this exceptional single malt scotch serves as proof that it can produce complex and harmonious flavor profiles.
Consumer Takeaway
For serious Scotch collectors or those looking to try something new, Glengoyne Mizunara Oak is a rare opportunity. With only 150 bottles coming to the US market at $400 each, this exceptional single malt scotch is worth tracking down for its unique character and complex flavor profile.
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