Yamazaki Mizunara - NAS (2013)

The 2013 version of the now annual special Suntory releases. This one has aged for an unknown time in Mizunara (Japanese oak) casks. Bottled at 48% vol.

• Nose: Exotic fruits - especially papaya!, vanilla, marzipan, sweet juicy oak and tobacco, some of the sandal wood. Water makes it a bit more harsh with tannins and resin
• Mouth: Oak, honey, some light sandalwood - water adds some tannins
• Finish: Warm and sweet with honey and some light sandalwood again. Water results in tannins and resin again with the feel of a pine forest

Comment: Quite excellent with a great nose and rich flavor. Water is rather detrimental in my opinion and primarily adds harshness. Maybe could have used some more time in the cask(s) and certainly on the expensive side for a NAS bottling...

87 points