Mizunara gets a lot of press because it’s a rather rare oak and today’s whiskey review, the Broken Barrel Mizunara, uses some staves made from the unique oak to make this whiskey. Taking a page from the Maker’s 46 notebook they take mature whiskey (this case a blend of 5 yo KY corn whiskey and 4 yo IN corn whiskey) and add Mizunara staves to add some extra flavor.
Sounds interesting, but will it be successful? Will it be a great whiskey or a failed experiment? Let’s dig in to find out.
Broken Barrel Mizunara Review: Details and Tasting Notes
In Infuse Spirits’ Words:
“We deliver one-of-a-kind collaborations by maturing American whiskey with rare oak from around the world. We’ve sourced our whiskey for these bottles from Kentucky and Indiana, and married each blend with oak barrel staves from all around the world: Japan for rare Mizunara oak… Each barrel gives the whiskey a unique, rich, and complex taste and character not commonly found in American whiskey. Additionally, unlike Broken Barrel Whiskey’s core bourbon and rye, the Single Oak Series’ bases are all blends: Mizunara is a blend of five-year-old Kentucky and four-year-old Indiana corn whiskeys… The result is a synthesis nowhere to be found with traditional whiskey.”
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: USA
Distiller: Undisclosed (IN=MGP, KY =?)
Bottler: Infuse Spirits
Mash Bill: At least 80% Corn + Rye + Malted Barley
Cask: Used or Uncharred Cooperage, Mizunara staves
Age: 4 Years
ABV: 55%
Price: $50*
Tasting Notes
EYE
Honey
NOSE
Honey, grain, wood, oat cookies, vanilla taffy, caramel syrup and dried fruit.
PALATE
Wood, spice, grain, oat cookies, vanilla, honey, stale dried fruit, spirit and minerality.
FINISH
Med-short -> Wood, grain, stale dried fruit and spice.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, medium body, light feel – a touch dry
Broken Barrel Mizunara Review: Overall and Score
Overwhelming craft essence. Aroma has a lot of grain notes and woody notes, it gets a tad spirity as it opens; Palate pulls through mostly raw woody notes and opens up to some banana chips, grain and spirity notes also continue to build; Finish is pleasant but also turns a tad spirity as it opens.
Soft sweet and grainy with a bit of dry woody tannicness the Broken Barrel Mizunara reminds me of far too many craft whiskeys. Not getting any real depth or complexity from its sweet fruity woody profile. It is interesting and fun to try, but not something I’m eager to revisit soon. However, I love the spirit of what they’re doing and excited to see how they evolve.
SCORE: 1.5/5
*Disclosure: The bottle for this whiskey review was graciously sent to me by the company without obligation. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Broken Barrel Mizunara Review $50
Overall
1.5- Nose (1.5)
- Palate (1.5)
- Finish (1.5)
- BBF (1.5)
User Review
0 (0 votes) Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)Broken Barrel Mizunara Review Summary
An interesting whiskey that isn’t bad, but lacks any real kick of elegant aromas or flavors. It’s a cool idea and something I’m interested to see how it changes over future releases.
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