By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Exceptional whisky is an art form - a delicate balance of time, place and mastery. Lark Distillery’s latest release, the third chapter of its Mizunara Oak Rare Cask Series, is an amber-hued testament to that craft.
Limited to just 707 bottles worldwide, this extraordinary single malt invites whisky lovers on a sensorial voyage that melds the heart of Japan with the soul of Tasmania.
What truly sets this release apart is the extraordinary influence of Mizunara oak itself. Its grain structure is unlike any other, lending unique flavours such as freshly baked apple pie dusted with icing sugar, creamy French vanilla slice and a bouquet of sweet incense.
Environmental factors in Tasmania - temperature swings and humidity - further coax complexity and richness from the wood, making each bottle a unique expression of place and patience.
Behind this creation stands Lark’s Master Distiller, whose artistry ensures that every cask of Mizunara oak is coaxed to perfection, reflecting the timeless nature of whisky making. It’s a process where patience meets passion and every bottle is a testament to craftsmanship at its finest.
Inspired by founder Bill Lark’s journeys to Japan, this Tasmanian single malt has been meticulously finished in precious Mizunara oak casks, a wood famed for its scarcity, complexity and rich history.
Mizunara trees can take upwards of 200 years to mature, making these barrels some of the rarest and most coveted in the whisky world. The Japanese Government’s strict regulations ensure only trees more than 80 years old can be felled, further intensifying the exclusivity of this rare wood. The patient passage of time imbues the oak with qualities that impart unparalleled elegance and depth to the spirit it cradles.
Lark’s Batch 003 is a harmonious marriage of two cultures, where the delicate artistry of Japanese craftsmanship meets Tasmania’s rugged natural beauty. The whisky begins its life in the Cambridge distillery, where 100% Tasmanian barley undergoes a unique extended fermentation and post-malt smoking process with locally sourced peat.
This slow, precise method builds a foundation of flavour complexity, before the spirit is matured for 5 to 7 years in bourbon barrels. The final flourish comes with the rare Mizunara oak finishing cask, which imparts layers of floral, spicy and creamy notes unique to this exceptional timber.
On the nose, the whisky reveals an inviting combination of tropical coconut and sandalwood sweetness, gently underscored by maple-baked pears and hints of heather honey. It’s a fragrance that is both fresh and nostalgic, evoking images of a sunlit orchard and a subtle incense burning in the background.
In contrast, on the palate, Lark Mizunara’s whisky is a luscious medley of peaches and cream unfolding into soft botanical oak, layered with delicate crystallised ginger and sticky caramelised banana. The mouthfeel is stunningly viscous yet silky, perfectly balancing richness with finesse. This is whisky as poetry - a liquid narrative that unfolds sip by sip.
The finish lingers long and indulgent, reminiscent of orange zest panna cotta melting into bittersweet chocolate-coated coffee beans, with a whisper of white pepper and a silky pastry cream note. Every element reflects the meticulous craftsmanship and deep respect for tradition that define Lark’s Rare Cask Series.
Served neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water, this whisky is a rare luxury for collectors and connoisseurs alike. Encased in an elegant 700mL bottle with a sophisticated RCS box, it’s priced at $1000 - an investment in an extraordinary whisky moment.
