Frank August Case Study: 01 Mizunara Japanese Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
(750 mL)

Distillery Notes:

APPROACH: The Frank August ‘Case Study’ Program is a reflection of our intention to reconsider and evolve the identity of bourbon whiskey. Within each release, we will explore various finishing and blending techniques to create some of the most unique experimental expressions of bourbon whiskey in the world.

EXPRESSION: For the foundational release of ‘Case Study’, Frank August hand selected 5 barrels to be finished with Mizunara, Japanese Oak. Due to the porous nature of Mizunara, each of the 5 barrels were tested every 30 days to monitor the development of the flavor profile that was being impacted by this rare and beautiful wood. After an undisclosed time, the flavor profile evolved into a beautiful bend of butterscotch and baking spices. At which time, the bourbon whiskey was dumped and batched to preserve the wonderful notes that were created.  The final step was to find the perfect proof that highlighted all the remarkable notes that the Mizunara had imparted on the bourbon whiskey, which ended up being 114.4 proof / 57.2 ABV%.

Tasting Notes:

APPEARANCE: A rich amber with discerning legs that cover your glass.

NOSE: Opens with an initial note of butterscotch before some mild rye spices make their way forward.

PALATE: There’s an immediate warm, smooth, butterscotch prof ile that hits the front of your tongue, before slowly moving toward the mid-palate, where notes of apple and mild spices begin to pick up. As the whiskey coats the mouth, and moves to the back of your tongue, there’s hints of mint and pepper, before notes of butterscotch and caramel make their return.

FINISH: A beautiful pronounced finish that evolves with the time between each drink. While notes of butterscotch persist, the strength of the 114.4 proof provides an ideal balance that warms your mouth and chest and highlights some of the softer baking spice notes.

Awards/Reviews:

Double Gold - SF World Spirits Competition 2024

Platinum - Ascot Awards 2023

"A complex and well-integrated flavor profile, the Mizunara adds a honey pop that's sweet on the palate, and the finish lingers beautifully. An excellent neat sipper."

Double Gold - SF World Spirits Competition 2023

 "A very approachable bourbon that does not specifically taste as if it was finished in secondary barrels, but rather offers a baking spice forward flavor profile that is quite complex on the palate. The bourbon really shines on the palate, which is quite complex, offering layers upon layers of different spice and oak notes. The integration is very well done, not yet pushing the boundary of being over-finished, instead landing right on the mark. Frank August Case Study: 01 Mizunara Japanese Oak Bourbon is a well-crafted bourbon that showcases the quality of bourbon that can be achieved when made on a very small scale. A bourbon that showcases layers of flavor with a wonderful array of spice and oak notes on the palate." - Breaking Bourbon

"An absolutely delicious and unique Whiskey. The nose opens up with baking spices, sandalwood, and a hint of pear, making it incredibly approachable. On the palate, bold butterscotch and baking spices, nutmeg, toffee, and leather are all present in perfect balance. The finish leaves behind a slight tobacco note with ingredients like allspice and caramel chews that all last long. The experience provided is incredibly unique, and this whiskey is extremely well-crafted and deserves its place on any whiskey lover’s shelf."

- Bourbon Press