Karuizawa distillery (軽井沢蒸溜所) is the epitome of cult Japanese whisky. Located in Miyota, Nagano Prefecture on the southern slopes of Mount Asama whose ice-melts in spring provided the water for the whisky, Karuizawa was established in 1955, mothballed in 2000 and demolished around 2016. The story of Karuizawa is a gripping one, involving dedication and craftsmanship, lack of appreciation at home, neglect by the conglomerates who owned it, and finally worldwide recognition and triumph as a truly superb whisky when it was too late (for more interesting insights into Karuizawa, check out the Nonjatta website, and the book written by its Editor). As far as we know, the few hundred remaining casks of Karuizawa bought by Number One Drinks at its closure have been all but depleted, and the bottles which are out there, especially those from the 1960s, are breaking record after record at auction.
Distilled in 1985 and matured in sherry cask #7017 before bottling in October 2009 at cask strength.
Size: 70 cl
ABV: 60.8%
Fill level: Top shoulder (Please see "Did you know...?" section on Homepage)
With box?: Yes (Age-appropriate wear-and-tear to box and back label, see pictures)