Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Mizunara
Kentucky Bottled Bourbon | 750mL | 58.21% ABV (116.42 proof) | Cask Strength, Non-Chill Filtered — Barrell Craft Spirits Bourbon Cask Finish Series: Mizunara takes a blend of straight bourbons — Indiana 6, 7 and 9-year, Kentucky 8-year, Tennessee 8 and 14-year — with a derived mash bill of 76% corn, 20% rye, 4% malted barley, and finishes it for 18 months in 53-gallon toasted Mizunara oak barrels. Mizunara, Japan's prized oak, is toasted rather than charred here to let its incense-like wood character into the bourbon. Bottled in Kentucky at cask strength. Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.
The Mizunara finish shows on the nose first: Barrell's official notes open with fresh strawberry, white peach, sugar cookies and toasted corn, then turn vibrant — lemongrass, peppermint, star anise — into Medjool dates, citrus and woodsy earthiness, with spearmint, palo santo, lime zest and ginger on the finish. A splash of spring water brings sandalwood, lemon curd, vanilla ice cream and sweet peppermint. Rated 95 by Wine Enthusiast and 92 by Whisky Advocate, with Double Golds from the 2024 NY World Spirits Competition and John Barleycorn Awards. For bourbon collectors, this is the Japanese-oak edition of the Cask Finish Series — and one of top-shelf cask-strength bourbon's most awarded bottles.
Tasting notes
Nose: strawberry, white peach, sugar cookies, toasted corn, golden raisin, honey, vanilla (Barrell official). Palate: viscous — lemongrass, star anise, peppermint, honey, sweet cornbread, Medjool dates. Finish: spearmint, palo santo, lime zest, ginger.
Why buy it from Del Mesa Liquor
- 750mL, 58.21% ABV — 116.42 proof, cask strength, non-chill filtered (confirm proof on the bottle)
- Blend of 6–14-year straight bourbons from Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, finished 18 months in toasted Mizunara barrels
- WE 95; Whisky Advocate 92; Double Gold — NYWSC 2024; Double Gold — John Barleycorn 2024
- Available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor
How to serve it
Neat in a Glencairn, or with a teaspoon of spring water — Barrell's own notes are written for both, and the water opens sandalwood, lemon curd and vanilla ice cream.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mizunara oak?
Japanese oak, prized for an incense-like, sandalwood character. Here the 53-gallon barrels are toasted (not charred) and hold the bourbon for 18 months.
What proof is it?
116.42 proof (58.21% ABV) per Barrell's official press release — confirm on the bottle, as some retailers list 115.52 proof.
What are the blend components?
Indiana bourbons aged 6, 7 and 9 years; Kentucky 8-year bourbon; Tennessee bourbons aged 8 and 14 years — derived mash bill 76% corn / 20% rye / 4% malted barley.
Does it carry an age statement?
No printed age statement — the blend combines 6–14-year straight bourbons, a component fact rather than an age statement.