Introduction
Today, we're diving into something special—Chivas Regal Mizunara Cask Finish. It's been a long time since we've featured a Chivas Regal product on the show, and this one caught our eye as a unique blend finished in Mizunara oak.
For those who might not be familiar, Mizunara oak is a rare type of oak from Japan known for imparting distinct flavors like sandalwood, coconut, and Japanese incense into the spirits aged in it.
This particular blend is aged for at least 12 years and features a combination of Scottish grain and malt whiskies, bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof). We picked up this bottle for around $40 from the Ohio Liquor Bureau's "last call" section, and we're excited to see how the Mizunara finish impacts the flavor.
The following review is taken from our episode "Dunkirk / Chivas Regal Mizunara." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Brad: The nose on this is really nice—it's a little bit nutty with some almond notes, very light and floral, with a hint of fruitiness. I get a peach kind of feel from it. I really like this nose a lot. I'm giving it an 8/10.
Bob: For me, it's all about the pear. I’ve never had a whisky this pear-forward—it's like the juicy pear jelly belly. There's also some melon, and after it sits for a bit, the fruitiness fades, leaving layers of brown sugar and caramel. It’s beautifully complex. I'm giving the nose a 9/10.
Taste
Brad: The palate is rich, with lots of honey and nuttiness. The floral notes really come through more as you sip, and the fruitiness leans toward a juicy peach or stone fruit. I'm a big fan of this—I'm giving it an 8.5/10.
Bob: For me, the palate had the fruitiness of a really sweet white wine, with a grainy barley note and a bit of char towards the back. As it finishes, it gets really creamy—almost like vanilla soft serve. It's a flavor experience we don't often get from scotch, especially a blended one. I'm giving the palate an 8/10.
Finish
Brad: The finish is where this whisky really excels. That vanilla soft serve note comes through strong, and there's an oakiness that's unique and different from any other whisky. I'm giving it a 9/10 on the finish.
Bob: The finish is great, with a slight bitterness but still really nice overall. The alcohol prickle becomes more apparent, but it's still way above average. I’m also giving it an 8/10.
Balance
Brad: The balance is fantastic—everything works together beautifully. It’s a sweet, floral whisky that hits all the right notes for a blended scotch. I'm sticking with a 9/10.
Bob: I agree. There's just a slight drop-off from the nose to the finish, but that’s only because the nose was so exceptional. I'm also giving it a 9/10.
Value
Bob: I picked this up for about $40, but prices now seem to range from $45 to $60, depending on where you find it. Even at $60, this is kind of a no-brainer. It's better than many single malts we've tried. I'm giving the value a 9/10.
Brad: I’m with you. I'm giving it an 8.5/10 on value.
Final Scores
Brad: My final score for Chivas Regal Mizunara is 43/50.
Bob: Same here—43/50. This is one of the best whiskies we've had all season. It’s definitely worth picking up if you see it on the shelf or trying a pour at the bar. This whisky has surpassed that 40/50 mark, making it a must-try.
Conclusion
Chivas Regal Mizunara Blended Scotch Whisky is a delightful surprise. With its unique finish and complex flavor profile, it’s a whisky that stands out. For us, the 35/50 mark is where we'd typically recommend trying a pour at a bar or buying a bottle, and Chivas Regal Mizunara exceeds this by a significant margin. With a score of 43/50, it's clear that this whisky is more than worth your time and money. If you can still find a bottle, don't hesitate to pick it up—it's one of the best whiskies we've had all season.
