Karuizawa: history of the distillery and flavours of its whiskies

Japan is also one of the countries with the greatest mastery of the art of whisky distillation and blending. The official creation of the first Japanese distillery dates back to 1923, but the Karuizawa distillery was only founded 32 years later. The distillery went through phases of growth and decline, finally closing its doors in 2001 after being mothballed. Despite this, the brand remains a legend in the spirits industry and is regularly awarded prizes in international competitions. Lovers of rare whisky still snatch up its excellent spirits at a premium price. We have therefore decided to devote this article to the history of the Karuizawa distillery and the flavours of its whiskies

Back to the history of the Karuizawa distillery

Gone are the days when Ireland and Scotland held the monopoly on whisky production and sales. Over the years, whisky from the rising sun has conquered the market, and some brands, such as Karuizawa, are even highly reputed. The history of this distillery began in 1955. It was founded by the Mercian Corporation. It was the smallest distillery in Japan. It is located on the site of a former vineyard, at the foot of Mount Asama, an active volcano 140 km west of the capital. It is the highest distillation plant in Japan, at an altitude of 850 meters. The Mercian Wine Company chose this location because it wanted to replicate the particular climatic conditions of Scotland.
Production of whisky from malted barley began in 1958. Production capacity was 150,000 liters a year. The company used a Japanese-made still. Four years later, it decided to expand by investing in four new stills. Thanks to these new installations, the company continued to produce quality whiskies and gained in reputation until 2000, when it was forced to close its doors. At that time, many Japanese distilleries decided to cease operations. There were many reasons for this. On the one hand, the slowdown in the Japanese economy and the increase in the tax on whisky production in 1984. On the other, the Japanese government considerably reduced customs duties on scotch imports. Not to mention the volatile behavior of Japanese consumers, who sometimes prefer spirits such as wine or schochu. This period of recession eventually led to the mothballing of the Karuizawa distillery in 2000 and the cessation of the company's distilling activities.
Norwich-based Number One drinks Co then entered into an agreement to distribute what remained of the distillery's maturation stocks, 364 casks in 2006 and 2009. The distillery's commitment to showcasing its incredibly rich and complex flavours is only rewarded when consumers become aware of the rarity and quality of its products. This rarity and high demand have an impact on their price. For example, Cask 5627 bottled in 1960 became the most expensive whisky ever sold, at 2 million yen. Meanwhile, four of its versions have also won medals, including a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits competition. The competition was held in London in 2001, but the company has already stopped distilling. The Vintage series of vintages also appeared in 2002: single malt bottled cask by cask at natural strength and without going through cold filtration. The end of the Karuizawa distillery 's legendary era came with its demolition in 2016, but its whiskies remain famous to this day. They have even become collectors' items due to their rarity

Aromas of Karuizawa whiskies

The Karuizawa distillery has mastered the whisky distillation process. Its sherry-aged single malt boasts rich, complex flavors