An ex-bourbon Karuizawa distilled in 1978 and bottled in 2014 at a full 63%. It shows the lighter, fruit-led side of the distillery rather than its familiar dark sherry.
About This Whisky
Cask #8383 was one of three late-1970s bourbon casks that Number One Drinks bottled in the summer of 2014, alongside a 1979 and a 1980. American oak lets the oily Karuizawa spirit speak for itself, and here that means banana, vanilla and salted caramel, with a little smoke and old oak towards the end. French tasters also found damp earth and moss on the nose, turning to nougat, brioche and cinnamon with air. After more than 35 years the strength had barely dropped.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Ripe banana and fruit salad, then vanilla, damp earth and moss, opening to brioche and cinnamon.
- Palate: Smooth and oily. Salted caramel, yellow and red fruit and pepper, with a savoury, almost meaty edge.
- Finish: Rich and hot at first, then soft citrus, old oak and a faint wisp of smoke.
Serving & Food
At 63% this needs water. Use a tulip glass, pour a small measure and add water a few drops at a time until the banana and caramel open. Good with crème caramel, banana bread or a slice of cured ham.
How to Enjoy
Karuizawa drinkers who prefer bourbon-cask fruit and vanilla to heavy sherry.
Product Details
Distillery: Karuizawa (closed)
Country: Japan
Region: Miyota, Nagano
Category: Single cask Japanese single malt whisky
Distilled: 1978
Bottled: 2014
Age: Over 35 years (sold as 36 years old)
Cask: Ex-bourbon cask #8383
Bottler: Number One Drinks Company
ABV: 63.0%
Proof: 126
Volume: 700mL
About the Distillery
Karuizawa sat at about 850 metres, which made it the highest whisky distillery in Japan while it ran. Mount Asama, an active volcano, rises above the site, and the climate is cool and very humid.
In that damp air, water tends to leave the cask faster than alcohol does. Over decades the spirit concentrates instead of weakening, which is why so many old Karuizawa casks, like this one, were still above 60% when they were finally bottled.