Karuizawa Distillery 33 Year Old Distilled 1981 Bottled April 2014 Ex-Sherry Single Cask Single Malt Japanese Whisky ABV 54.5% Vol 70cl / 700ml

DESCRIPTION

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim, this one perhaps more than most!

It is amazing that we still see single casks of Karuizawa being released, this 1981 vintage was bottled earlier this year as a 33 year from an ex-sherrycask.

Only 566 bottles were produced and sold exclusively by La Maison Du Whisky, Paris.

TASTING NOTES (by Whiskyfun.com)

Colour: dark amber. Nose: a pretty magnificent woodiness here, that is to say not only polished oak, but also other species, such as eucalyptus wood and many precious woods, but I just couldn’t tell you which ones. Maybe rosewood? I imagine the interior of a 1950’s Rolls Royce when it was brand new (maybe!) Other than that, there’s a little smoke, there’s tobacco for sure and there’s a faint chalkiness. I also find dry sherry, or vin jaune, as well as their walnut notes. Also a little humus and mushrooms. Perfect. One strawberry or two after ten minutes. With water: the menthol comes out, old herbal liqueurs, verbena, chartreuse… This is almost a blend of essential oils. Having said that it gets much quieter after just one minute. Mouth (neat): huge and incredibly fruity! You would think that this massive woodiness would overwhelm the spirit and just make the whole extremely dry, while that’s exactly what’s not happening. We’re gravitating around sweeter citrus, that is to say kumquats, oranges and mandarins, covered with crushed cloves and ground pepper. Christmassy? You said it. With water: same profile, just even more vivid and ‘nervous’. Perfect oranges. Finish: long, never embarrassingly oak, always fresh albeit massive. The hidden child of a sumotori and a ballerina. Comments: I think I found this one ampler and more complex than other ex-bourbon Karuizawas. We’re close to the best sherried versions in my opinion. SGP:662 - 92 points.

PRODUCT SUMMARY