Karuizawa 1999 - 2018 #877 

Limited availability and high quality make each bottle of Karuizawa single malt whisky a valuable acquisition for aficionados, collectors and investors. This is truly a rare piece of this legendary Japanese whisky history.

Tasting note

Colour

Mahogany

Nose

The nose opens with a deep, complex aroma that immediately grabs the attention. Rich aromas of dried fruits such as figs, dates and sultanas mingle with notes of dark chocolate and espresso. Subtle hints of oak, tobacco and a hint of orange peel add another layer of sophistication. A slight smokiness and undertones of spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg round out the aroma profile, offering an inviting and intriguing experience.

Taste

At the first sip, the whisky reveals a lush and full-bodied flavour. Tones of sherry dominate the palette, with layers of caramel, toffee and dark berries providing a sweet and fruity start. As the whisky develops, rich flavours of dark chocolate, roasted nuts and a hint of leather emerge. The complexity is further enhanced by subtle spices such as cloves and a hint of pepper, making for a perfectly balanced and layered taste experience.

Finish

The finish is long and luxurious, with lingering notes of oak and dried fruit that slowly fade. The slight smokiness lingers, along with a pleasant warmth of spice that leaves a lasting impression. Subtle hints of liquorice and vanilla provide a sweet finish, making each sip offer a lasting and refined memory.

Karuizawa Distillery

Karuizawa Distillery was located at the foot of the active volcano Asama in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Founded in 1955 by Daikoku Budoshu, Karuizawa was a small, artisanal distillery known for its traditional production methods and high quality standards. Its location in a cool, mountainous climate provided unique maturation conditions that contributed to the complex flavour profiles of their whiskies.

A unique feature of Karuizawa was the use of ex-sherry casks for maturation, which gave the whiskies a deep, rich colour and intense flavours of dried fruits, chocolate and spices. The distillery also used locally grown Golden Promise barley, a variety known for its full-bodied and sweet flavour.

Karuizawa stopped production in 2000 and closed permanently in 2011, but the remaining bottles are highly sought after by enthusiasts, collectors and investors for their exceptional quality and rarity. The whiskies are known for their powerful, complex and well-balanced character. Although the distillery is now closed, Karuizawa remains a legendary name in the world of Japanese whisky and the remaining bottles are considered valuable treasures.