Tiki Tasting: Chivas Regal Mizunara

While we have a lot of rum in our bar, we also have plenty of other spirits, liqueurs and elixirs and decided it was time that we give some of them a moment in the spotlight. To put it another way, we are opening up our review section to more than just rum – although we still will be highlighting how you can use ingredients like this whisky in your more tropical libations.

Chivas Regal Mizunara is a limited release from Chivas that first caught our eye because of the deep teal box that it is packaged in, which is very eye-catching on the liquor store shelf. It was originally made for the Japanese market and in inspired by Japanese whiskies. How does this translate to a blended scotch that you’re probably already familiar with? Part of the blend is matured in Mizunara oak casks.

Mizunara oak is an oak native to Japan that has been used in the production of whisky barrels for more than 50 years. That said, it’s a difficult oak to work with and not ideal for turning into barrels, both because the porosity of the wood makes casks prone to leaking and because the oak needs to be 200 years old before it can be cut for use. The casks can impart subtle, exotic flavors to whiskies, and they command a steep price. The Chivas Mizunara spends a relatively short time in the Japanese casks, but that is enough to impart a hint of the floral and sandalwood notes that the oak is known for without overwhelming the base of the Chivas.

Naturally, you could simply buy a more expensive Japanese whisky if you want a more traditional Japanese whisky profile, but it seems like Chivas struck a good balance with this blend to us. The whisky has a great nutty sweetness on the nose that feels soft as you smell it. The whisky itself is equally soft, with a slight sweetness followed by a strong floral bouquet that fades into baking spices and smoke. It is smooth, with a medium-long finish that retains some licorice sweetness as it slowly fades. You’ll catch some of those floral elements in the finish, as well. It’s incredibly drinkable neat and comes at a reasonable price (we paid around $44).

This one is a solid option if you’re a fan of Japanese whiskies and want something a little different, or if you like classic blended Scotches and are looking to mix it up a bit. And for a mixer? Why not try this in a Blood and Sand (recipe coming soon!).