The Japanese whisky industry was once heavily influenced by Scotch whisky production methods. Now that the global appreciation for Japanese whisky has grown so much that supply is running low, one of the world’s premier Scotch brands is producing a blend influenced by Japanese spirits. During one of his trips to Japan, Chivas Regal Master Blender Colin Scott, who has worked with the company for more than 30 years, was inspired to create a special blend with a Japanese influence. Colin was so fascinated with the drinking culture there that he created the Chivas Mizunara Scotch. The aging process requires the use of Japanese Mizunara oak—similar to how Japanese whiskies such as Suntory’s Yamazaki Single Malt are aged—creating a unique, earthy flavor made especially for the Japanese palate.
In an interview with DrinkManila.com at the Philippine launch of Chivas Regal Mizunara, brand ambassador Hamish Houliston described what sets the Mizunara Scotch apart from the rest of the competition: “Chivas has a rich heritage and we’ve been doing this for many generations, and what Master Colin has done is form a symbiotic relationship between two cultures, and the byproduct is Chivas Mizunara. He combined the best of both worlds, and you can taste the Japanese influence through the aging process,” Houliston explained.
To keep everything authentic, Pernord Ricard Philippines—the sole distributor of Chivas Regal Scotch whiskies in the country—orchestrated an intimate tasting event at Lit Manila to introduce the famed Mizunara Scotch. Spirt connoisseurs would agree that if you’re looking for authentic Japanese whiskies, Lit Manila is the place that gives you the full experience.
“Scotland has very strict laws and legislations to make sure that Scotch whiskies are of superior quality and for it to be called Scotch, it has to be distilled and mature in Scotland. So even if we’ve used Japanese oak casks, the maturation was done the Scottish way. Our climate over there is just perfect for the whisky to mature in a gentle way that lets the complexity develop over time,” Houliston added.
As proven during the event, Mizunara Scotch can be paired well with any food, just like your favorite wine. Usually, fried bites, steaks, and spicy dishes are the perfect companion for the Mizunara Scotch to bring out its amazing flavor. But whether you choose to have something savory or drink your whisky straight from the bottle like a true nobleman, the Mizunara Scotch can stand on its own.
Chivas Regal Mizunara special blended Scotch Whisky is now available at all S&R outlets and select bars in Metro Manila.
