The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Emma Briones
Rating: B-
Chivas Regal Mizunara
(Credit: Emma Briones)
Japan learnt from Scotland how to make whisky, but nowadays Scotland is the one who is borrowing a trick from Japan. And an example of this is the new Chivas Regal Mizunara.
This blend was born, according to the brand, from a trip to Japan. Colin Scott, Chivas Master Blender, was traveling through Japan when he got inspired. He decided then to create a blend specifically tailored to the Japanese palate. To do so, there was nothing better to build on than Mizunara barrels.
If you haven’t heard about Mizunara barrels, there’s just three things you need to know. First, Mizunara means “water oak,” and it is a tree with a hard and permeable wood. Second, there are few Mizunara trees available in Japan and, to make a barrel, it is necessary that the tree is at least 200 years old. That makes Mizunara barrels quite expensive. Finally, Mizunara is a more humid and porous wood, allowing for a deeper, richer interaction with the whisky. To summarize, Mizunara casks are quite rare and expensive, but they give some spicy notes and an astringent touch to the whisky.
Japan became the test market for Chivas Regal Mizunara, and they were quite happy with the results, for now Chivas has started retailing this new blend in Europe. It is a NAS blend that has been finished in Mizunara oak barrels. It has been bottled at 40% abv (80º proof), with chill-filtration and has added color.
The Scotch
Chivas Regal Mizunara comes in the classic Chivas bottle in blue, with some Japanese touches. In the glass, the whisky is dark amber with long tears. On the nose is light and soft. It starts with some vanilla and oak scents blended with caramel notes. There are also some soft fruity notes, mostly pears, apricots and orange peel, plus a light touch of almond, followed by grain and malt scents.
On the palate it is still light and soft. This highlights the oak notes, accompanied by grain and toasted cereal notes. It is sweet, with strong notes of vanilla and caramel. And there’s a fruity touch full of pears, bananas and fresh apricots.
Towards the end, the arrival of the Mizunara oak spices. A dry touch with pepper, clove and ginger notes blended with a touch of almonds. The finish is medium and sweet, with some lingering oak notes.
If you are looking for your classic Chivas Regal with a twist, this whisky is for you. Overall, we could say that it is the classic Chivas Regal 12 year old with a Mizunara finishing. It has all the lightness and softness that you expect from a Japanese whisky, but it has not got that perfect balance that Japanese do so well.
It is quite an interesting idea from Chivas, obviously destined to those who love the brand and those obsessed with Japanese whisky. And the result is quite decent, though I’d rather have another whisky.
The Price
Chivas Regal Mizunara is available in selected markets. In the UK it is retailed around £46, with prices in Europe going around €45 and $55 in the U.S.
