Glendalough 7 Year Old Mizunara Finished Irish Whiskey
Glendalough 7 Year Old Mizunara Finished Irish Whiskey is the whiskey that put Japanese oak on the Irish map — an Irish single malt, triple-distilled in copper pot stills from 100% Irish malted barley, matured around seven years in ex-bourbon American oak casks and then finished in rare Mizunara oak casks from Hokkaido, Japan. Bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof) in 750mL, non-chill-filtered, it was the first Irish whiskey ever finished in Mizunara — launched in limited quantities in February 2022. It's available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 46% (92 proof) — non-chill-filtered
- Size: 750mL (US bottling)
- Age: 7 years — ex-bourbon American oak, then FINISHED in Hokkaido Mizunara oak (500L casks, Level 3 char)
- Style: Irish single malt — 100% Irish malted barley, triple-distilled in copper pot stills
- First: the first Irish distillery ever to use Mizunara oak
- Release: limited February 2022 launch (SRP $99.99); Double Gold — SFWSC 2022 and NYISC 2023
When Wicklow Met Hokkaido
Mizunara is the unicorn of oak: it grows only in Japan, takes some 200 years to mature, and its twisted, porous grain is notoriously difficult to cooper — but it lets whiskey seep deeper and pulls out sandalwood, incense and dark-chocolate-orange character found nowhere else. Glendalough was the first Irish distillery to take it on, finishing its 7-year-old single malt in 500-litre Mizunara casks. The bottle even carries a red-thread motif — the Japanese "red thread of fate" tying the Wicklow and Hokkaido mountains together. Producer notes describe a vibrant, fruity, floral nose; a fresh, citrusy palate of orchard fruits with biscuity malt, vanilla, fudge and honey from the bourbon cask plus dark chocolate orange, sandalwood and cinnamon from the Mizunara; and an exceptionally long finish of toasted oak, spice and lingering dark chocolate. Explore more whisky and craft spirits, or shop the Glendalough range at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
Per producer tasting notes (via retailers): nose — vibrant, fruity and floral. Palate — fresh and citrusy with orchard fruits; luxuriously smooth; biscuity malt; vanilla, fudge and honey from the bourbon cask; dark chocolate orange, sandalwood and cinnamon from the Mizunara. Finish — exceptionally long, toasted oak and spices, dark chocolate lingering longest.
How to Enjoy
Neat, room temperature, in a tulip glass — a whiskey this unusual deserves a clean read. This is a collector's pour as much as a drinker's one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mizunara oak?
A rare Japanese oak from Hokkaido that takes ~200 years to mature; its porous wood is hard to cooper but imparts distinctive sandalwood, incense and dark-chocolate-orange character.
Is it fully aged in Mizunara?
No — it's a finish: ~7 years in ex-bourbon American oak, then finished in Mizunara casks.
Was this the first Irish Mizunara whiskey?
Yes — Glendalough was the first Irish distillery ever to use Mizunara oak.
What is the ABV?
46% ABV (92 proof), non-chill-filtered.
A first for Ireland in rare Japanese oak — secure the Glendalough 7 Year Mizunara at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.