Mercer + Prince by ASAP Rocky 700ML

Mercer + Prince by A$AP Rocky 700ML is a Canadian blended whisky bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks. Developed as a collaboration between Grammy-nominated artist A$AP Rocky and Canadian whisky producers in Ontario, this expression distinguishes itself through a dual-maturation process that bridges North American and Japanese wood traditions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 40%  |  Origin: Ontario, Canada  |  Minimum 4 Years Old  |  Finished in Mizunara Oak

Production & Heritage

Mercer + Prince is produced in Ontario, Canada, using a blend of grain and malt whiskies with an unpublished mashbill. The spirit is twice distilled, then aged for a minimum of four years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels. What sets the liquid apart from conventional Canadian blends is a secondary finishing stage: after the initial maturation, the whisky is vatted and transferred into Japanese Mizunara oak casks for a final rest. Mizunara oak is notoriously difficult to cooper due to its porous, twisted grain, and it imparts distinctive spice and incense-like qualities rarely found in Canadian whisky. The brand launched as a joint venture rooted in A$AP Rocky's interest in blending streetwear culture with premium spirits.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Baked apple leads the nose, followed by layers of vanilla and light caramel. A gentle waft of cinnamon and warm oak rounds out the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is smooth and mellow, with vanilla and caramel meeting the palate first. Mid-palate, toasted oak and dark fruit emerge, giving way to a cinnamon warmth that reflects the Mizunara influence. The overall impression is balanced and subtly sweet without becoming cloying.

Finish: Clean and moderate in length, with soft oak and a lingering hint of baked apple. A trace of dry spice from the Mizunara cask keeps the finish from fading too quickly.

How to Drink Mercer + Prince

Neat or over a single large ice cube lets the Mizunara oak character come through most clearly; the whisky's 40% ABV is approachable without dilution but opens up with a touch of chill. For cocktails, the fruit-forward, vanilla-rich profile makes it versatile. An Old Fashioned benefits from the baked apple and cinnamon notes, which amplify the classic bitters pairing. A Whisky Highball — inspired by the Japanese finishing — stretches the lighter fruit and oak into a refreshing long drink. A Gold Rush (whisky, honey syrup, lemon) highlights the natural caramel sweetness while citrus lifts the dark fruit undertones.

Best For

• Gifting a whisky-curious friend who appreciates design-forward brands
• Exploring the intersection of Canadian and Japanese oak maturation
• Hosting a cocktail night where conversation-starting bottles matter
• Building a collection that includes celebrity-backed expressions with genuine production innovation

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mercer + Prince taste like? Mercer + Prince delivers a smooth, mellow palate of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak, with distinctive baked apple and cinnamon notes contributed by its Japanese Mizunara oak finish.

How does Mercer + Prince compare to Crown Royal? Both are Canadian blended whiskies, but Mercer + Prince incorporates a finishing period in Japanese Mizunara oak, which introduces spice and fruit complexity not typically found in Crown Royal's standard expression, which is finished exclusively in ex-bourbon and new oak. Crown Royal is widely available as a larger-production brand, while Mercer + Prince occupies a more niche, design-driven segment.

Is Mercer + Prince good for sipping neat? Yes — its 40% ABV and smooth, balanced profile make it approachable for neat sipping, and the Mizunara oak finish adds enough complexity to keep the palate engaged without being overwhelming.

Where is Mercer + Prince made? Mercer + Prince is produced in Ontario, Canada, where the whisky is twice distilled and aged in ex-bourbon barrels before undergoing a secondary finishing in Japanese Mizunara oak casks.

What foods pair well with Mercer + Prince? Grilled pork chops complement the toasted oak and caramel sweetness. Apple tarte tatin mirrors the baked apple aromatics. Aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the vanilla notes. Cinnamon-spiced desserts like churros echo the Mizunara-driven spice. Smoked salmon works well against the whisky's subtle sweetness and clean finish.

What sizes does Mercer + Prince come in? The standard bottle is 700ml, which is the primary format available in most markets.

Is Mercer + Prince worth the price? Mercer + Prince positions itself in the premium tier for Canadian whisky, justified by its minimum four-year age statement and the uncommon Mizunara oak finishing step — a process that adds real cost due to the rarity and expense of Mizunara cooperage.

Why Mercer + Prince?

The central differentiator here is the Mizunara oak finish — an expensive, logistically complex step that most Canadian whisky producers do not attempt. Mizunara wood is sourced from slow-growing Japanese oak trees, often over 200 years old, and its use in whisky maturation originated in Japan during the mid-20th century. Applied to a four-year Canadian blend, it introduces a layer of cinnamon spice and delicate incense that sets this bottle apart from typical Canadian offerings in the same age range. For drinkers interested in how different wood types shape whisky character, Mercer + Prince delivers a genuinely unusual cross-cultural maturation story backed by real production choices rather than marketing alone.