New Booze News: Yamazaki Mizunara, Johnnie Walker Black: Director’s Cut and More!

Before our official reviews arrive, we wanted to give you a sneak preview of the new products hitting shelves soon. There are a few collectibles here including a Yamazaki Mizunara oak aged whisky. Johnnie Walker has created a special Black Label whisky with a futuristic bottle to boot. Plus, Patrón has added a new tequila to its permanent collection. All this and more in the Booze News for the week of September 11, 2017!

JAPANESE WHISKY

Yamazaki 18 Year Mizunara Cask 2017 Edition

This 18 year-old single malt from Suntory’s Yamazaki Distillery is aged exclusively in Japanese Mizunara oak. The name Mizunara derives from the Japanese “mizu”, meaning water and “nara”, meaning oak. Mizunara is both hard and permeable, making it difficult to shape and to avoid leaks. Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo selected whiskies of varying ages , aged in Mizunara from at least 18 years and including some more than 50 years old for this whisky.

Fukuyo explains his thoughts on creating the whisky, “I wanted to reveal the whisky’s soul that is the Art of Mizunara—a heightened sense and awakened palate engaged through aromas and flavors never known before. Encountering it should be a moment of epiphany.”

A label handcrafted mulberry Echizen paper produced in a Japanese method adorns the bottle. The wooden box, which holds the whisky, consists of cask material used in the aging of Suntory whisky. Bottled at 48% ABV, this edition is available from October 2017. Suggested retail price $1000.

Yamazaki 18 Year Mizunara Cask 2017 Edition / Photo Credit: Suntory

SCOTCH WHISKY

Johnnie Walker Black Label: Director’s Cut

This blended Scotch whisky was released in conjunction with the film “Blade Runner: 2049”, in theaters October 6, 2017. This is not just a decorative bottle, but a unique blend which differs from the standard Johnnie Walker Black. It comprises over 30 different malt and grain whiskies and comes in at 49% ABV rather than the standard 40%.

This special release has a limited availability of 39,000 bottles worldwide with 27,600 of them going to the US. The whisky comes in a decorative box promoting the film. Suggested retail price $90.

Johnnie Walker Black Label: Director’s Cut / Photo Credit: Johnnie Walker

Dalmore 40 Year

Available beginning September 2017, this Highland single malt matured in a variety of casks. It first matured in American oak, ex-bourbon barrels. Next, it aged in former Gonzalez-Byass matusalem oloroso sherry butts for an additional 30 years. Lastly, the whisky finished maturation in American oak first-fill ex-bourbon barrels.

This collector’s single malt presents in a Baccarat designed crystal decanter with the 12-point Dalmore stag logo created by Hamilton & Inches. A total of 750 bottles exist with 58 of them headed to the US. Suggested retail price $7500.

Dalmore 40 Year / Photo Credit: David Parry

CACHAÇA

Avuá Jequitibá Rosa Cachaça

Released in September 2017, this is Avuá’s third aged expression. Its name, Jequitibá Rosa, derives from the Brazilian wood in which it ages. This high-density hardwood exists only in central and Southern Brazil. This cachaça spends up to two years in barrels made of this wood. Only 600 bottles will be available in the US. Suggested retail price $70.

Avuá Cachaça Bottlings/ Photo Credit: Avuá Cachaça

Avuá Still Strength Cachaça

Still Strength is the high proof offering from Avuá. At 90 proof it is meant to expand the line’s usability in cocktails. Four varieties of single-estate grown sugarcane constitute this cachaça. The unaged cachaça rests in stainless steel for six months prior to bottling. Available in select markets in the US beginning September 2017. Suggested retail price $45.

“By distilling Avuá Cachaça only a short distance from the sugarcane fields, we are able to experiment with Brazil’s rich diversity of wood,” says Pete Nevenglosky, co-founder of Avuá Cachaça. “Brazil is victim to deforestation and the woods we use are the least threatened and most widely available in South America, although completely new to the United States. Creating Jequitibá Rosa was inspired by many trips to Brazil to research the spirit and it is best enjoyed as a neat pour with a beer on the side, as the Brazilians do.”

TEQUILA

Patrón Extra Añejo Tequila

Available beginning September 2017, this extra añejo is a permanent extension for Patrón. This 100% blue agave tequila ages for at least three years in American, French and Hungarian oak. Bottled at 40% ABV it has a suggested retail price of $90.

Patrón Extra Añejo Tequila / Photo Credit: Patrón

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