The first multi-vintage Karuizawa in the Noh series: a vatting of four casks distilled in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984, selected by La Maison du Whisky and bottled in October 2011 at 59.1%. The run was 1,500 bottles.
About This Whisky
Noh bottlings are usually single casks, so this one is different. Casks #6405, #4973, #8184 and #6437 were married together, combining sherry butts with bourbon casks. The youngest spirit was about 27 years old at bottling. The mix brings the dark fruit of sherry wood together with the brighter fruit and vanilla of American oak. With 1,500 bottles it was a far larger release than any single cask.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Dried fruit and sherry oak, with orange peel, vanilla and a hint of tobacco.
- Palate: Round and powerful. Raisin, toffee and baked apple, then clove and cocoa.
- Finish: Long, with oak spice and a soft fruit sweetness.
Serving & Food
Serve in a tulip glass at room temperature with a jug of water nearby, and bring it down a little from 59.1%. Pairs with teriyaki eel, apple tarte tatin or roasted chestnuts.
How to Enjoy
A chance to taste how early-1980s Karuizawa sherry and bourbon casks work together.
Product Details
Distillery: Karuizawa (closed)
Country: Japan
Region: Miyota, Nagano
Series: Noh, Multi Vintages No. 1
Selected By: La Maison du Whisky
Style: Japanese single malt whisky, vatting of four casks
Distilled: 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984
Bottled: October 2011
Casks: Sherry butts and bourbon casks #6405, #4973, #8184, #6437
Edition Size: 1,500 bottles
ABV: 59.1%
Volume: 700mL
About the Distillery
For years Karuizawa single malt was a sideline to the Ocean blends. The first single malt appeared only in 1976, and for a long time it sold mostly in Japan.
Recognition came late. In 2001, just after production had stopped, the Karuizawa 12 Year Old won gold at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London. From there, European shops began to take an interest, and single casks soon followed.