Have you ever sipped on a bourbon that took you on a journey from the rolling hills of Kentucky to the mystical forests of Japan? If not, prepare your palates for an unparalleled adventure with Rabbit Hole Distillery’s latest masterpiece: Mizunara, a 15-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak barrels. This extraordinary offering is the newest gem in the brand’s prestigious Founder’s Collection, and it’s here to redefine your whiskey experience.

Mizunara Oak, the rare white oak from Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, carries a legacy steeped in history and tradition. The words “Mizu” and “nara” together paint a picture of an oak that drinks the water, a poetic nod to the tree’s life-giving essence. It takes centuries, between 200 and 500 years, for these trees to mature, and only the most skilled craftsmen can transform their porous and delicate wood into barrels capable of aging the world’s finest whiskey. It’s this meticulous dedication to craft that inspired Rabbit Hole Distillery Founder and Whiskey Maker Kaveh Zamanian to embark on a quest blending East and West in a bottle.

With a passion for the artistry of whiskey-making and a reverence for the storied traditions of fine spirits, Zamanian selected a few precious barrels from his personal collection of 15-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon for this endeavor. These barrels were then finished for more than 11 months in the finest Mizunara Oak casks, sourced from a small, family-owned cooperage in Japan. The result? A whiskey that’s not just a drink but a bridge between cultures, a melding of histories, and a true one-of-a-kind treasure for collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Mizunara greets the senses with an intriguing nose of nutmeg, allspice, walnut, and leather, harmoniously balanced with refreshing whispers of mint, honey, wood, and orange. As you indulge, your palate is embraced by a sophisticated blend of earthy and sweet confectionery flavors, where tobacco and oak dance with notes of custard, banana, cinnamon, and a bouquet of floral subtleties. This crescendo of flavors gently fades, leaving memories of dark cherry and a long-lasting chocolate finish.

But it’s not just what’s in the bottle that tells a story. The presentation of Mizunara is an ode to the art form itself, with each bottle and box individually numbered to guarantee authenticity. The bottle boasts a heavy gold cork, symbolizing the treasure within, while the linen-patterned gift box is designed to showcase the whiskey’s deep mahogany essence elegantly.

First released in 2021, Mizunara has now made its second appearance, with just 2,200 bottles available. This limited treasure can be found at Rabbit Hole Distillery and selected markets nationwide, with a portion also available for purchase online. For those ready to invest in this liquid legacy, the 750 mL bottle is priced at $1,500.00, at 51.9% ABV (103.8 proof).

Rabbit Hole Distillery, nestled in the heart of downtown Louisville’s Nulu neighborhood, is more than just a place where whiskey is made. It’s a beacon of innovation and craft distillation, a testament to the vision of its founder, Kaveh Zamanian, who transitioned from a 20-year career in clinical psychology to pursue his passion for creating exceptional spirits. His mission to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary comes to life through Rabbit Hole’s signature offerings and the groundbreaking Founder’s Collection.

So, to my fellow whiskey enthusiasts and curious spirit adventurers, I invite you to explore the remarkable world of Mizunara. It’s an experience that transcends mere taste, encapsulating the soul of two distinct traditions, the passion of a visionary and the craftsmanship of centuries. Let’s raise our glasses to the art of whiskey-making, to the magic of Mizunara, and to the endless possibilities that await in every bottle.

Cheers to the extraordinary journey that Rabbit Hole invites us on – may it be as enriching as the storied paths of the Mizunara Oak itself!