Karuizawa 50 Year 1965 Monyou Edition Sherry Cask #2372 700mL

The sherry half of La Maison du Whisky's Monyou pair: a Karuizawa distilled in 1965 and bottled at 50 years old from sherry cask #2372, at 62.3%. It was released in 2016 for the Paris shop's 60th anniversary.

About This Whisky

Each Monyou bottle came in a handcrafted fabric box inspired by monyou, the Japanese art of pattern printing, and owners were encouraged to try the printing method for themselves. This sherry cask was also used, together with bourbon barrel #8636, in the 60-bottle Japonisme Edition. La Maison du Whisky's note calls it poised rather than heavy: vanilla, dried fruit, nuts and honey on the nose, becoming spicy and floral, with a long, heady but airy palate. Sources give the outturn as around 300 bottles.

Tasting Profile

• Nose: Vanilla, dried fruit, nuts and honey, then spice and a floral note of mignonette.
• Palate: Long, spicy and heady, yet light on its feet for a 50-year-old sherry cask.
• Finish: Dried fruit and oak that linger, with a last floral lift.

Serving & Food

Taste it neat first in a thin tulip glass at room temperature, and give it time. A drop or two of water can soften the 62.3% without flattening it. Serve with candied chestnuts, a thin slice of Comté or plain shortbread.

How to Enjoy

A sherry-matured 1960s Karuizawa for drinkers who want to compare it with its bourbon-cask partner.

Product Details

About the Distillery

The distillery's story has a clear end point. The last spirit ran in 2000, and Mercian mothballed the site. The distilling licence was given up in 2011, and the old buildings were pulled down in 2016, after the pot stills had been removed and sold.

A new Karuizawa distillery opened in the town of Karuizawa in 2022, a short drive from the old Miyota site. It has no link to the old stills or stock, so every bottle of original Karuizawa comes from casks filled before 2001.