Dewar’s “Mizunara Oak” Double Double 21 Year Old Scotch Whisky is a sophisticated, globally inspired blend that elevates traditional Scotch with rare Japanese oak finishing. Exceptionally smooth yet layered, it delivers citrus brightness, honeyed richness, and distinctive sandalwood notes from Mizunara casks. This is a modern luxury blended Scotch—refined, polished, and quietly complex, designed for both collectors and discerning everyday sipping.

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Origins & Craftsmanship
Crafted by Master Blender Stephanie Macleod, this expression is part of Dewar’s acclaimed Double Double Series, known for its meticulous multi-stage maturation process.

The “Double Double” name refers to a four-step aging method:

1. Individual single malts and grain whiskies aged for at least 21 years

2. Blended together

3. Returned to oak casks for further marrying

4. Finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks

This final Mizunara finish is what defines the whisky—Japanese Mizunara oak is notoriously difficult to work with, requiring over 200 years to mature and imparting unique aromatic qualities such as sandalwood, incense, and exotic spice.

Key details:

• Style: Blended Scotch Whisky

• Age: 21 Years

• ABV: 46%

• Cask Finish: Japanese Mizunara oak

The result is a whisky that harmonizes Scottish blending tradition with Japanese oak influence, creating a rare cross-cultural expression.

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Critics Reviews

• Whisky Advocate – 95 Points
  Jonny McCormick praises its “citrus notes… lime zest and grapefruit peel,” alongside Mizunara-driven sandalwood and a luscious finish of lemon and white chocolate.

• Distiller – 94 Points
  Highlights the four-stage aging process and complexity, positioning it among standout modern blended Scotch releases.

• The Whiskey Wash – 9/10 Rating
  Describes it as a “really quite the nice sipper… not something you want to rush,” emphasizing its smoothness and layered spice.

• Named among Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Most Exciting Whiskies, reinforcing its status as a premium, innovative release.

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Tasting Profile

Nose:
Elegant and aromatic with tropical fruit, green apple, candied ginger, honey, and sandalwood, layered with subtle vanilla and coconut.

Palate:
Smooth and creamy with citrus zest, pear, coconut, dried fruit, and spice, supported by Mizunara’s signature notes of incense, sandalwood, and delicate oak.

Finish:
Long, refined, and silky with lemon peel, white chocolate, soft spice, and lingering exotic wood notes, leaving a polished, luxurious impression.

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Quick Overview

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Cocktail Recipes

This is a premium aged Scotch—best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water.

Mizunara Highball

• 1.5 oz Dewar’s 21 Mizunara

• 3–4 oz chilled soda water

Serve over ice with a lemon twist to highlight citrus and oak.

Japanese-Style Whisky Serve

• 2 oz Dewar’s Mizunara

• Large clear ice cube

Serve in a rocks glass for a clean, minimalist presentation.

#7 of Whiskey Advocate's Top 20 Whiskies of 2023

"Master blender Stephanie Macleod leans further into the experimentation that saw her use mizunara oak casks for Dewar’s Japanese Smooth, this time as the final step of the 21 year old’s aging process. Macleod aged the malts and grains for 21 years and then created the blend, returning it to the barrel for further aging before finishing it in mizunara oak casks. The impressive result is this beautiful dram, with citrus notes that shine brightly with lime zest and grapefruit peel, while the mizunara oak adds hints of sandalwood and a glossy mouthfeel, leaving a luscious finish of zested lemon and white chocolate. —Jonny McCormick" 95 Points