Karuizawa 1981 Cask no. 6056 - b. 2013 - 70 cl

Distillery: Karuizawa
Age: 1981 Vintage
ABV: 60.3%
Volume: 70cl
Vintage: 1981
Condition: Sealed, unopened

Karuizawa distillery, nestled at the foot of Mount Asama in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, operated from 1956 until its closure in 2000, becoming a legendary lost distillery. Renowned for its small-scale production, use of 100% Golden Promise barley, and maturation predominantly in sherry casks, it crafted whiskies of exceptional depth and character. Its limited remaining stock, fiercely sought after by connoisseurs and investors, has cemented its status as one of the most prestigious and collectible names in the world of whisky. Each release is now a rare glimpse into a bygone era of Japanese whisky craftsmanship.

This Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #6056 represents an incredibly rare and highly coveted bottling from the distillery's golden age. Likely matured in a single sherry cask, a hallmark of Karuizawa's most celebrated expressions, this whisky showcases the distillery's profound ability to produce rich, complex, and intensely flavoured spirits. Single cask releases, especially from specific vintage years like 1981, are particularly prized by collectors due to their unique character and finite availability, offering an unrepeatable experience directly from the barrel. Its high natural cask strength further enhances its appeal, promising an unadulterated and powerful tasting journey that epitomises Karuizawa's legendary status.

Tasting Notes:
Colour: Tiefes Mahagoni mit rubinroten Akzenten.
Nose: Reichhaltig und opulent mit dunklen Trockenfrüchten, klebrigen Datteln, Feigenmarmelade, altem Leder, poliertem Antiquitätenholz sowie Hinweisen auf Rancio, dunkle Schokolade und subtile Pfeifentabakrauch.
Palate: Intensiv und viskos, eine kraftvolle Welle von Schwarzbeerenfrucht, Espresso, Melasse, Walnüssen und exotischen Gewürzen, ausbalanciert durch einen tiefen Sherryeinfluss, dunkle Marmelade und eine Nuance gerösteter Nüsse.
Finish: Außerordentlich lang und wärmend, mit verbleibenden Noten von Dunkelobstkuchen, bittere Schokolade, Eichen-Tannine und einem Hauch von Holzwürze und gereiftem Tabak.