Japanese whisky continues to command serious attention from collectors and drinkers alike, and the Matsui Mizunara from Kurayoshi Distillery represents one of the more intriguing propositions in the category. This is a no-age-statement single malt bottled at 43% ABV, and its defining characteristic is right there in the name — maturation in Japanese Mizunara oak. At £119, it sits in that middle ground where you expect craft and intention, not just a label trading on Japan's reputation. Having spent time with this bottle, I can say it delivers on that expectation, though perhaps not without a few caveats worth discussing.
Kurayoshi Distillery, operated by the Matsui Shuzo company in Tottori Prefecture, is part of a newer wave of Japanese distilleries that have emerged as global demand for Japanese whisky has surged. They should not be confused with the established giants of Suntory and Nikka — this is a different operation entirely, and I think it is worth approaching their releases on their own terms rather than measuring them against Yamazaki or Yoichi. What matters is what is in the glass.
The use of Mizunara oak is the real story here. Mizunara is notoriously difficult to work with — the wood is porous, prone to leaking, and requires considerable cooperage skill. It is also exceptionally expensive compared to American or European oak. But when it works, it imparts a character that simply cannot be replicated by other cask types: a distinctive interplay of sandalwood, incense, and a gentle spice that sits somewhere between cinnamon and white pepper. At 43%, this is bottled at a strength that keeps things approachable without stripping away too much character. It is not cask strength, but it does not feel thin either.
Tasting Notes
I will reserve detailed tasting notes for a future revisit once I have had the opportunity to spend more time with this bottle across multiple sessions. What I will say is that the Mizunara influence is unmistakable — this whisky carries a signature that sets it apart from the flood of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry matured malts on the market. There is a distinctive aromatic quality here that rewards patience and attention.
The Verdict
At £119, the Matsui Mizunara asks you to pay a premium, and I think the Mizunara cask influence largely justifies that price. Genuine Mizunara-matured whisky is not easy to find at this level — most expressions using this wood type from the major Japanese houses command significantly higher prices. The NAS designation means we are trusting the blender's palate rather than a number on the label, and on balance, I believe that trust is rewarded here. This is a well-constructed single malt that offers something genuinely different from what most whisky drinkers will have in their collection. It is not flawless — I would have liked to see this at 46% without chill filtration — but it is a confident, characterful whisky that earns its place on the shelf. I am giving it a 7.8 out of 10: a strong recommendation with the acknowledgement that a little more boldness in the bottling would have pushed it higher.
Best Served
Pour this neat in a tulip-shaped glass and give it a good ten minutes to open up before nosing. If you find the initial pour a touch tight, a few drops of still water at room temperature will help it along considerably. This is also a whisky that works beautifully in a Japanese-style Highball — good quality soda water, plenty of ice, and a thin strip of lemon peel. The Mizunara character holds up surprisingly well with dilution, which is the mark of a whisky with genuine depth of flavour.
