Rabbit Hole Mizunara Founder's Collection is a 15 year old cask strength Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Japanese Mizunara oak. Founder and whiskey maker Kaveh Zamanian selected ten rare 15 year old bourbon barrels from his personal collection, then gave the whiskey roughly another year in virgin Mizunara casks. It is bottled at 114.2 proof, and Rabbit Hole calls it its rarest whiskey.
Mizunara is a white oak native to Japan, its name meaning water oak. It is more porous and delicate than American or European oak, so only highly skilled coopers can make barrels from it, and the trees take between 200 and 500 years to reach maturity. Kaveh sourced a handful of these elusive casks from a small family-owned cooperage in Japan, to honour the mystique of Hokkaido's oak, and the result is a double-oaked bourbon of rare depth.
After some 15 years in new charred American oak, the bourbon gained its Mizunara finish, adding spice, incense-like wood and floral notes to deep layers of walnut, leather and dark cherry. Each bottle and box is individually numbered. The bottle wears a heavy gold stopper, and the red gift box carries Rabbit Hole's linen pattern, with the founder's signature debossed on the side.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Nutmeg, allspice, walnut and leather, balanced by mint, honey, wood and orange.
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Palate: A smooth, thick mix of earthy and confectionery flavours: tobacco and oak with hints of custard, banana and cinnamon, then floral notes.
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Finish: Fading into dark cherry and a lingering chocolate finish.
Specifications
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Producer: Rabbit Hole Distillery, Louisville, Kentucky
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Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, cask strength
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Expression / Batch: Mizunara Founder's Collection, individually numbered
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Age: 15 years
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Proof / ABV: 114.2 proof (57.1% ABV)
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Cask / Finish: New charred American oak, finished in virgin Japanese Mizunara oak
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Region: Kentucky, United States
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Size: 750ml
How to Enjoy It
At cask strength, start with a small pour neat, then add a few drops of water to open the floral Mizunara notes and soften the spice. A single large ice cube also works well. It pairs with dark chocolate, roasted nuts or a fine cigar. Numbered and boxed, it is a collector's bottle and a superb gift for any bourbon enthusiast who appreciates Japanese whisky craft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mizunara oak?
A rare Japanese white oak, more porous and delicate than American or European oak, that takes 200 to 500 years to mature.
How old is Rabbit Hole Mizunara Founder's Collection?
It is made from 15 year old Kentucky straight bourbon, finished for about another year in Mizunara oak.
What proof is it?
It is bottled at cask strength, 114.2 proof (57.1% ABV).
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