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Brand Spotlight - Dewar’s Japanese Smooth
THE SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY
Dewar’s Scotch Whisky Introduces Japanese Smooth
By Joseph Luparello
Throughout place and time, cultural differences lend character and individuality to drinks. Dewar’s Scotch Whisky limited-edition series exemplifies how mixing culture into spirits can be just as intriguing.
The brand’s “Stay Curious” initiative promotes a never-ending journey to find the outcome of combining two unexpected things, making the outcome remarkably better. As a result, the brand is changing the scope of innovation by recreating the blended scotch whisky category. Stay Curious is a calling for everyone to keep sight of the spirit of discovery.
With this mantra in mind, Dewar’s continues to launch groundbreaking liquid masterpieces through its Smooth Series. The latest addition joining the iconic whisky maker’s diverse cask series is 8-Year-Old Japanese Smooth Blended Scotch Whisky, inspired by the Japanese whisky boom.
Dewar’s Japanese Smooth comes to life through the mashup of two relatively different cultures: Scotland and Japan. Crafted from eight-year-old blended scotch whisky, double-aged and finished in Japanese Mizunara casks, the combination is a pleasant mingling on the palate. The purity and craft drawn from each country yield a new level of supremely smooth liquid to Dewar’s brand portfolio.
Intricate aging methods make Dewar’s Scotch Whisky stand tall in the category. First, a selection of up to 40 single malt and grain whiskies are aged individually for a minimum of eight years. Once the whiskies have fully matured, they are blended. Afterward they return to casks for up to six months to optimize that
signature smoothness and let the flavors infiltrate the liquid. When the blend is ready, master blender Stephanie Macleod uses her keen tasting ability to approve its readiness for the next critical step, Japanese oak cask barrels.
Native to Japan, Mizunara oak is far less common than European or American oak, making it significantly pricier. A single cask costs more than ten times the cost of American oak. It also needs to undergo 200 years of aging before its qualified to be cut and used for casks.
According to Macleod, the Mizunara finish preserves Dewar’s signature notes of heather and honey while quietly imparting floral and complex woody notes of sandalwood and succulent lychee. For her, Japanese Smooth is “a study of balance and smoothness.”
Dewar’s latest creations hint at grand possibilities when cultures join and collaborate. Dewar’s modern take on the hybrid of art and tradition, the fusion of culture and spirit, and crossover of whisky-making methods keep consumers looking forward to what’s next in the blended scotch whisky category.
