Kaiyo The Single 7 Year Old Japanese Whisky
Kaiyō "The Single" 7 Year Old Japanese Whisky is a 7-year-old single malt finished in handmade Japanese mizunara oak casks while sailing across the ocean — an extraordinary aging experiment that gives the whisky its name ("kaiyō" means "ocean" in Japanese). Bottled at 48% ABV (96 proof) in a 750mL bottle, this is mizunara character amplified: exotic spice, incense, and dark honey drawn from the rarest oak in whisky. Order online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 48% (96 proof) — majority position incl. state alcohol authority; bottle read pending
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 7 years — coffey-still malt, bourbon-barrel matured, then mizunara-finished at sea
- Cask story: Finished in bespoke mizunara oak casks from the Ariake cooperage, Kyoto, during an ocean voyage
- Importer: 375 Park Avenue Spirits; un-chillfiltered
Aged at Sea in Mizunara Oak
Mizunara oak — slow-growing, difficult to cooper, notoriously leaky — imparts whisky's most exotic flavors: sandalwood, incense, coconut, and oriental spice. Kaiyō doubles down on the concept: after initial maturation in bourbon barrels, the whisky is transferred to hand-made mizunara casks that travel by ship, where the motion of the sea, changing temperatures, and pressure are said to deepen the oak interaction. Explore more Japanese whisky and the full Kaiyō collection.
Tasting Notes
Look for mizunara's signature sandalwood and incense notes layered over honey, vanilla, and orchard fruit from the bourbon-barrel years, with a long spiced finish that benefits from the 96-proof bottling strength.
How to Enjoy
Neat in a tulip glass to catch the incense and spice aromatics. A few drops of water open the mizunara character further; it also makes a singular high-proof Highball.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "aged at sea" mean for Kaiyō whisky?
After bourbon-barrel maturation, the whisky finishes in mizunara casks aboard an ocean voyage — the brand credits the sea's motion, temperature swings, and pressure with deepening the oak influence.
What is mizunara oak?
Mizunara is a rare Japanese oak prized in whisky for its exotic flavor profile — sandalwood, incense, coconut, and spice. It's difficult to work and commands premium prices.
Is Kaiyō The Single a single malt?
Yes — it's a single malt whisky distilled on a coffey still in Japan and aged 7 years, finished at sea in mizunara oak.
Experience whisky's most exotic oak — order Kaiyō The Single 7 Year Old online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.