Whisky: The Shinobu 10 years old Pure Malt finished in Mizunara Oak
Producer: Shinobu
Distillery: Shinobu Distillery
Region: Niigita, Japan
Whisky Type: Blended Malt (Malted barley from more than one distillery)
Mash Bill: 100% malted barley
Age: 10 years
ABV: 43% ABV
Aged in Cask: ex-sherry, ex-bourbon, and finished in Mizunara oak
Price Range: $$$
Shinobu distillery is in the Niigata prefecture of Japan, a region on the west coast of Honshu known for its snow, rice, and sake. The distillery started operations in 2017, and its whiskies have already won several awards in world spirit competitions.
The word SHINOBU means “forbearance” in Japanese, implying patience and self-discipline, qualities that master distiller Mr. Ken Usami has put into practice to make great whisky.
Before March of 2021, there were no guidelines to define Japanese whisky. Fortunately, the Japan Spirits & Liqueurs Makers Association enacted labeling guidelines to help distillers and consumers alike.
Japanese whisky Labeling guidelines
- Raw ingredients must be limited to malted grains, other cereal grains, and water extracted in Japan. Malted grains must always be used.
- Saccharification, fermentation, and distillation must be carried out at a distillery in Japan. Alcohol content at the time of distillation must be less than 95%.
- The distilled product must be poured into wooden casks not exceeding a capacity of 700 liters and matured in Japan for at least three years.
- Bottling must take place only in Japan, with an alcoholic strength of at least 40% as of such time.
- Allow the use of plain caramel coloring.
Mizunara Oak
Quercus Mongolica, also known as Mizunara oak, has been used since the 1930s and gives the whisky a unique set of flavors such as sandalwood and incense. The wood has high levels of vanillins but is soft and very porous, making the casks made from Mizunara oak prone to leaking and easily damaged. The supply of Mizunara oak is limited because trees need about 200 years to grow and are not to be cut before others regrow. With a high demand for this type of oak and a limited supply, it is logical to see prices beyond $6,000 per barrel. As a consumer, you can expect to pay a premium for whisky aged or finished in Mizunara oak.
Tasting Notes for The Shinobu 10 Years Old Pure Malt Japanese Whisky – Mizunara Oak
Nose: Raisins, vanilla, and aromas of incense and sandalwood coming from the Mizunara oak. The pleasant sherry and wood aromas are the first things I notice.
Palate: Delicate sweet entry from the sherry that evolves rapidly into a slight sandalwood flavor from the Mizunara oak. The transition is nicely done, with sherry and the wood complementing each other.
Finish: Medium. Sweet and creamy with wood notes.
Conclusion: This is a balanced blended malt with the Mizunara oak serving as the secret weapon to round the sweet flavors of the bourbon and the sherry. I bought this whisky a year ago in California because it was not available in Georgia, so I took the risk, and I am glad I did. A complex whisky even at ten years old.
Awards include a gold medal in the World Whisky Awards of 2020 and a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirit Awards of 2020.
Score: 4/5 ⭐
Check my Instagram account for more images of whiskies and distilleries. If you’re interested in japanese whisky, check here for more reviews on whiskies like Hakushu 12 years old.
Legend
$50 or less $
$51-$100 $$
$101-$150 $$$
$151 or more $$$$
