Yamazaki Mizunara

Mizunara—or Japanese oak—was considered inferior for many years. Only recently have its extraordinary aromatic qualities been appreciated. These are immediately apparent on the nose: aloes wood incense sandalwood cinnamon balls sour cherry and apple becoming more gingery with water. Intense and acidic in the mouth there are tart stewed red fruits pomegranate and citrus. Lightly bitter tannins add to the complexity as does the smoke rising from the smoldering incense stick. The most significant Japanese whisky of the year? £250