Kaiyō Whisky is a distinctive Japanese whisky house known for its rare use of Mizunara oak and its pioneering sea-maturation technique. Under the guidance of Master Blender Jeffrey Karlovitch, a Keeper of the Quaich and one of the whisky world’s most refined palates, Kaiyō crafts small batches of whisky aged in handmade Mizunara casks, some of the most precious and difficult-to-work-with barrels in the world. Once matured on land, the casks embark on a voyage at sea, where the dynamic conditions of movement, temperature fluctuations, and air pressure variations coax even greater complexity from the oak. The result is a whisky unlike any other, rich, layered, and deeply expressive of both wood and wave.

Kaiyō “The Peated” Mizunara Oak is a daring and artfully balanced whisky that brings together peat smoke and Japanese finesse. Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, it showcases a smoky, coastal character that’s seamlessly integrated with the exotic spice and creamy texture imparted by Mizunara oak.

In the glass, it offers a rich golden hue and a deeply aromatic nose of campfire smoke, roasted chestnut, and sea spray, underpinned by notes of toasted coconut, sandalwood, orange peel, and subtle incense. On the palate, it is velvety and layered, with flavours of smoked honey, grilled peach, cedar, and dark chocolate unfolding across a backdrop of savoury spice and oak. The peat is present but refined, with more Highland elegance than Islay intensity, and the mouthfeel is plush and warming, finishing with echoes of dried fruit and charred wood with Mizunara’s signature floral lift.

Kaiyō The Peated is a whisky of striking balance and depth, a rare harmony between smoke, sweetness, and spice. It’s an inspired choice for both peat lovers looking for something more nuanced and Japanese whisky enthusiasts seeking something with a smoky edge. Best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to reveal its full complexity.