List of products by brand Karuizawa distillery
Karuizawa: The Legendary Japanese Whisky
The Karuizawa distillery, one of the most iconic names in the world of Japanese whisky, officially closed its doors in the spring of 2012, after having suspended production in the early 2000s. Founded in 1955 at the foot of Mount Asama, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, Karuizawa began distilling in 1956, becoming synonymous with rarity and exceptional quality.
A Unique Production Process
Karuizawa was distinguished by its artisanal distillation method: it used small, directly heated stills fired by coal, a now rare practice that gave the whisky a strong, structured character. The result was a robust, full-bodied malt, perfect for long aging in sherry casks. These casks came from Spain for the first fill, while the second fill used casks from renowned Scottish distilleries, such as Mortlach.
From Origin to Rare Single Casks
Initially, Karuizawa produced whisky for the Daikoku Group's "Ocean" blends. The few bottles of single malt were reserved exclusively for the distillery's visitor center or for selected customers. Each bottle was bottled manually, often as a vintage single cask with cask strength.
A distinctive aspect of Karuizawa was the technique of drawing the whisky: only a part was bottled, while the rest continued to mature in the cask. This explains why the same barrique could produce whiskies of different versions and ages. A prime example is cask #6177, vintage 1970, from which two legendary labels were obtained: a 2002 Distillery Edition (31 years) and a 2012 Vintage Single Cask Edition (42 years).
Karuizawa: A Collectible Whisky
In 2006, Number One Drinks acquired the 300 barrels still available at the distillery, making Karuizawa a legend. Today, its bottles are among the rarest and most sought-after in the collectible whisky market, reaching record prices at international auctions.
The name Karuizawa represents not only an exceptional whisky, but a piece of Japanese history and a unique opportunity for anyone who wishes to savor a spirit of inestimable value.
