Courvoisier creates second Mizunara expression

Cognac brand Courvoisier has launched the second edition of its mizunara cask-finished expression in collaboration with the House of Suntory.

Following the success of its inaugural edition of Courvoisier Mizunara, the Cognac brand’s chief blender, Thibaut Hontanx, has teamed up with House of Suntory chief blender Shinji Fukuyo on the second edition.

Drawing on their blending expertise, Hontanx and Fukuyo have shared the traditions of their crafts to create the second edition, which ’embodies the belief that truly visionary blends are born when the best of two cultures come together as one’.

“As we continue to explore the possibilities of oak, we’ve learned that time is crucial when working with mizunara oak. It’s important to be patient to achieve its full potential,” said Hontanx.

“Born out of our desire to experiment with oak sources and harness its impact on Cognac, the 2023 edition of Courvoisier Mizunara pushes the boundaries of traditional Cognac even further.”

The 2023 Courvoisier Mizunara edition is described as an ‘evolution’ of Courvoisier’s ‘most precious and exclusive blend to date’, with this year’s blend said to showcase an ‘even more pronounced overture of the mizunara wood than its predecessor’.

Each blend within this limited experimental series is ‘unique’ and features only the house’s ‘most exquisite’ eaux-de-vie from the region’s top crus – Grande Champagne, which is considered to be the most prestigious of the Cognac region. This has been blended with Petite Champagne and Borderies for added complexity, depth, and a long finish.

Courvoisier Mizunara is initially aged in casks made from the region’s ‘finest’ oak before being transferred to rare Japanese mizunara oak casks.

This particular wood is said to be famously difficult to work with as the tree itself grows sideways and gnarled. The high moisture content requires the wood to be more than 200 years old before it can be tamed into a cask.

This year’s Courvoisier Mizunara blend offers a harmony of exotic fruits, jasmine and cherry blossom juxtaposed with the house’s signature notes of rich fruits, layered with an elegant floral finish.

A limited release of only 500 bottles of Courvoisier Mizunara will be available in select countries at a suggested retail price of £2,500 (US$3,200) from August, as well as at Harvey Nichols, Harrods, and Selfridges in the UK.