Kaiyo The Peated Japanese Mizunara Oak Whisky

Kaiyo The Peated Japanese Mizunara Oak Whisky is a peated Japanese whisky bottled at 46% ABV (92 proof) in a 750mL bottle — and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA. The first Kaiyo expression to combine peated malt with mizunara oak, it layers sweet smoke over sandalwood and spice, finished with the brand's signature three-month ocean voyage from Osaka.

• ABV: 46% (92 proof)
• Size: 750mL
• Age: No age statement
• Origin: Japan — distilled and matured in Japan
• Production: 100% malted barley peated to 35 PPM; first in ex-Madeira wine casks, then mizunara oak; ~3-month sea voyage; un-chillfiltered

Peated Malt Meets Mizunara Oak

Reviewers called this one "an Islay Scotch, but with a big twist" — and they were right. The malt is peated to 35 PPM, moderately peaty by Scotch standards, but the first maturation happens in ex-Madeira wine casks, which temper the smoke into a sweet-smoky balance before the whisky moves into Japanese mizunara oak barrels. Founder commentary describes the heavy peat at fill being softened over time: "almost as peated as Ardbeg, but the Madeira cuts it in half." The final three-month sea voyage from Osaka adds the Kaiyo signature — motion and temperature swings deepening the wood interaction. The base spirit is 100% malted barley from Japanese distilleries, classed as blended malt. For Japanese whisky drinkers who think they know peat, this is the expression to reconsider with — and the full Kaiyo range shows what the same program does unpeated.

Tasting Notes

Smoky nose with hints of nuts, sweet fruit and honey, plus fresh cherry blossom and ripe fruit. On the palate, gentle smoke layers with vanilla, dried fruit, dark chocolate, sandalwood and spice. The finish is sweet, long and drying.

How to Enjoy

Neat to appreciate the smoke-mizunara interplay, or with a splash of water to lift the fruit. It also pairs beautifully with salty snacks — think aged cheese or smoked nuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How peaty is Kaiyo The Peated? The malt is peated to 35 PPM — moderately peated, well below Ardbeg's level; Madeira and mizunara cask time temper the smoke into a sweet-smoky balance.

What casks is it aged in? First ex-Madeira wine casks, then Japanese mizunara oak, then the signature 3-month sea voyage from Osaka.

Is Kaiyo The Peated chill-filtered? No — it is un-chillfiltered like the rest of the Kaiyo line.

Get Kaiyo The Peated online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — peated malt, mizunara oak and a sea voyage in one bottle.