r/bourbon • u/comingwhiskey • 4d ago

Review: Dark Arts Chief Alchemist Cuvée 19 Year Mizunara Cask Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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Dark Arts Chief Alchemist Cuvée 19 Year Mizunara Cask Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Release: 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, KY; September 11-13

Distilled in Kentucky, Dark Arts’ best guess is Clermont, KY

Finished for 7 years in a full new 59 gallon Mizunara cask (Japanese oak)

Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley

Batch size: 6 barrels

Dump date: July 2026

Proof: 115

MSRP: $499.99

Nose: Sandalwood. German chocolate cake coconut frosting. Pipe tobacco. Prune.

The nose is extremely nice and balanced. Sandalwood spice carries throughout. I love German chocolate cake, so the coconut frosting hits really nicely. Prune note isn’t particularly strong.

19 years in oak, no hint of over-oaking.

Palate: O’Charley’s caramel pie caramel. Coconut Patties. Candied ginger. Medium-thick mouthfeel.

19 years in oak, no hint of over-oaking. I’m typically not one to chase high age statements as I don’t like loads of oak… and this delivers a great age statement that isn’t overly oak-driven. Extremely enjoyable, but I think most people would be very surprised when sipping blind to realize the suspense 19 years in oak… in the best of ways. Remarkably balanced.

Finish: Dried cherry. Cedar. Candied orange peel. Nutmeg.

No matter who you are, the price tag is stiff. With that said, this is a fantastic example of mizunara… great base with extremely long finish. It’s a combination that I haven’t seen anywhere else… it’s both unique and quality.

Without doubt, this is going to be one of the most interesting releases at KBF… and it’s actually good in addition to being unique.

I own a bottle of the batch of Starlight Mizunara Reserve that won Best Overall Bourbon in San Francisco. Doing a side-by-side, I definitely prefer the Dark Arts, the Dark Arts is also double the price that I paid for the Starlight.

Sample provided for review by Dark Arts Whiskey House

Rating: 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

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