Ron Barcelo Imperial Rare Blends Collection Mizunara Cask Rum

Ron Barcelo Imperial Rare Blends Collection Mizunara Cask Rum is a world first: Dominican cane-juice rum finished in virgin Japanese Mizunara oak — the first rum globally aged in Japanese Mizunara casks, per brand ambassador Otto Flores — from Barceló's own sugarcane fields in San Pedro de Macorís, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) in this 750mL US bottle — and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.

The Rare Blends Collection is Barceló's ultra-premium cask-exploration series — Mizunara Cask alongside the Porto and Maple Cask expressions. The base is 100% sugarcane juice (not molasses), fermented, distilled, and aged in the Dominican Republic; the Imperial reserve rums age in oak barrels of varying toast, then finish in virgin Japanese Mizunara oak. Mizunara — the notoriously difficult, porous Japanese oak — is famous for the incense-like sandalwood character it gives whisky; here it meets Dominican cane-juice rum for the first time. No age statement is claimed on the bottle.

Tasting notes (brand/distributor copy): intense pale amber with coppery glints; toasted wood, vanilla, sandalwood, coconut, and ginger on the nose; woody and mellow on the palate, combining the nose's notes; a long, subtly spicy, dry finish.

Why buy the Mizunara Cask? Because it's a genuine first — no rum had ever been aged in Japanese Mizunara oak before this expression — and the sandalwood-and-coconut imprint of the wood over Dominican cane-juice rum is unlike anything else on the shelf. Browse the rum collection, more from the Ron Barceló brand collection, and other finished spirits.

Serving note: neat, per the brand — or alongside fine cigars, aged cheeses, dark chocolate, and red meat.

What makes it a world first? Per the brand's US launch, it is the first rum globally aged in Japanese Mizunara oak casks.

What is Mizunara oak? A rare, porous indigenous Japanese oak (Quercus mongolica) prized for the sandalwood-and-incense character it imparts — famously difficult to cooper.

What's the proof and size? 40% ABV (80 proof), 750mL US bottle.

Is there an age statement? No — the brand describes the base as Imperial reserve rums aged in varied-toast oak, with no stated age.