# Japanese Oak Cask-Finished Whiskeys Dewar Launches New Cask Series Expression, 'Japanese Smooth' By Niko Pajkovic | Published 2022-05-12 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-smooth References: [drinksint](https://drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/9999/Dewar_92s_launches_Mizunara_oak_cask_finished_Scotch_in_the_UK.html) & [dewar](https://www.dewar.ca/)  Scotch whiskey maker [Dewar](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dewars-french-smooth) has announced the launch of 'Japanese Smooth,' an 8-year-old blended whiskey that will be added to the brand's premium Cask Series. What makes this new whiskey particularly unique is that has been [matured in Japanese Mizunara oak casks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/white-oak), which serve to lend the liquid a sophisticated rum-like flavor. Japanese Smooth arrives as the third installment of the brand's Cask Series, which already includes Dewar's [port cask finished whiskey](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tamnavulin-port-cask-edition) called Portuguese Smooth, and its mezcal-finished whiskey named Illegal Smooth. “We believe this is too good a whisky to keep it to a limited-edition issue… unlike previous iterations of our Cask Series it will be a permanent addition to our award-winning range of whiskies," said Brian Cox, Dewar’s Scotch Whisky in a recent press release. Image Credit: Dewar ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 14% | Activity: 21% | Freshness: 12% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Japanese Oak Cask-finished Whiskeys:** Expanding the use of Mizunara oak casks for whiskey maturation has the potential to revolutionize the whiskey industry and appeal to whiskey connoisseurs looking for unique flavor profiles. - **Premium Whiskey Cask Series:** Creating a line of premium whiskeys finished with unique casks presents an opportunity for whiskey brands to capture a niche market of consumers looking for distinctive and rare whiskey offerings. - **Permanent Addition of Cask-finished Whiskey:** Introducing new cask-finished whiskey expressions to a permanent line of spirits can generate brand loyalty and recurring revenue, as well as set a new standard for the industry. ### Who This Affects Most - **Whiskey:** Incorporating Japanese Mizunara oak casks in whiskey production presents an opportunity for whiskey makers to create unique and sophisticated flavor profiles, distinguish themselves in a crowded market, and appeal to niche whiskey consumers. - **Alcohol Distribution:** The introduction of premium cask series expressions presents an opportunity for alcohol distributors to promote rare and unique whiskey offerings to consumers who are willing to pay a premium price for an exclusive drinking experience. - **Bar/restaurant:** Incorporating a broader range of cask-finished whiskeys can not only offer bar and restaurant patrons a unique drinking experience but also increase the value of their whiskey portfolio and differentiate them from competitors. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fruit-Forward Blended Spirits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dewars-french-smooth.md) - [Smoky Limited-Edition Whiskeys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/japanese-singlemalt-whisky.md) - [Cherry Blossom-Inspired Whiskies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grand-yozakura.md) - [Limited-Edition Golf-Inspired Whiskies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/champions-edition.md) - [Quadruple-Aged Blended Whiskeys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blended-whiskeys.md) - [Artisanal Elevated Diverse Whiskies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tsukuriwake.md) - [Limited-Edition Single-Malt Scotch Whiskies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/singlemalt-scotch-whisky.md) - [Magma Stone-Toasted Spirits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dewars-double-double-scotch.md) - [Collaborative Spirit Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chivas-regal-takumi-reserve.md)