Noh Whisky

Unique series of the highest quality – from Karuizawa’s distillery.

Karuizawa distillery (1956 – 2011) was one of the smallest Japanese whisky distilleries. Despite its size, however, Karuizawa was an important player in the whisky market, both in Japan and worldwide. In 1976, they released the first 100% malt whisky produced in Japan. What is more, the distillery got multiple awards during IWSC (International Wine and Spirit Competition) and International Spirits Challenge. For their taste, quality and incredibly small stock, Katuizawa’s whiskies are some of the most sought-after spirits in the world.

What is particularly interesting about Karuizawa distillery is its production process. Sources say that they were very strict about ageing in sherry barrels and used water from the Asama Mountains to give the spirits unique freshness. The storage was also covered with ivy plants to maintain the ideal temperature and humidity.

One of the biggest and most popular collections of Karuizawa distillery is the Noh Whisky series. Sold for thousands of dollars per bottle, it consists of a wide range of mostly single cask editions that draw in connoisseurs and collectors from around the world.

Each bottle is decorated with a traditional Japanese Noh Performer mask and tells its own unique story. The Noh Whisky series bottles are hard to find on their own, so it is very uncommon to see them all for sale together.

The Noh Whisky series consists of 26 different editions, the oldest (Cask #1842) being over 40 years old and the youngest (Cask # #6066) – 10.

Noh Whisky Karuizawa 1971 cask#1842 Hannya

This image features the mask of the Noh character, Hannya, a sorrowful female serpent-demon.

Category: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1971
Bottled: 2013
Age: 41 years
Cask type: Bourbon
Cask number: #1842
Number of bottles: 82
Strength: 63,7%
Size: 700ml

Colour: Deep Amber

Aroma: Concentrated and complex, with some pronounced dried fruit, sweet aromas.

Taste: Deep and heavy, full of burnt wood, pipe, and tobacco tastes. Allowed to breathe, it releases fresh, fruity notes.

Karuizawa NOH 1976, cask #6719, 63.0 % Hagoromo

Noh Whisky Karuizawa 1976 cask #6719 Hagoromo

Category: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1976
Bottled: 2009
Age: 32 years
Cask type: Sherry Butt
Cask number: #6719
Number of bottles: 486
Strength: 63%
Size: 700ml

Noh Whisky Karuizawa 1977 cask #4592 Shiroheita

Category: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1977
Bottled: 2010
Age: 32 years
Cask type: Sherry
Cask number: #4592
Number of bottles: 190
Strength: 60.7%
Size: 700ml

Karuizawa 1977/2008 30yo 62,8% cask#7026 Noh Whisky Kamiasobi – Ama the Fisher-girl

Noh Whisky Karuizawa 1977 cask #7026 Ama the Fisher-girl

Category: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1977
Bottled: 2008
Age: 30 years
Cask type: Sherry Butt
Cask number: #7026
Number of bottles: 528
Strength: 62.8%
Size: 700ml

Noh Whisky Karuizawa 1980 cask#7614 Shunkan

This image features the mask of the Noh character, Shunkan, a priest exiled after being betrayed and exposed as plotting against the government.

Category: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1980
Bottled: 2012
Age: 32 years
Cask type: Sherry Butt
Cask number: #7614
Number of bottles: 102
Strength: 50,4 %
Size: 700ml

Colour: Deep Molasses

Aroma: Smokey and dark. Very pronounced burnt wood and petrol notes.

Taste: Musty and almost nutty. Complex and unique, much lighter than the #1842 Cask Noh Whisky. The lower strength of the #7614 Cask releases a smoothness that perfectly coats the mouth.

Noh Whisky Karuizawa 1980 cask#3565 Ko-Jo

This label features the mask of the Noh character, Ko-Jo, a god that takes the form of an old man.

Category: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1980
Bottled: 2012
Age: 32 years
Cask type: Sherry Butt
Cask number: #3565
Number of bottles: 335
Strength: 59,2 %
Size: 700ml
Colour: Warm Gold

Aroma: Unforgettable and intense. First, it releases notes of cooked vegetables, leather, gas and old wood, then nutmeg, tobacco, chocolate, coffee and raisins.

Taste: Chocolate, oak, and strong peat. Allowed to breathe, it releases sherry-like, sweeter and creamier notes, similar to toffee, nutmeg and cooked fruit. #3565 serves a warm and long finish with woody, mouth-drying, slightly herbal notes.

Noh Whisky Karuizawa 1981 cask#4676 Namanari

This label features a mask of the Noh character, Namanari, a grudgeful woman spurned by her husband’s leaving.

Category: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1981
Bottled: 2012
Age: 31 years
Cask type: Sherry Cask
Cask number: #4676
Number of bottles: 186
Strength: 58,6 %
Size: 700ml

Colour: Burnt Carmel.

Aroma: Rich and complex. Full of cedarwood, butter fudge and dried fruit notes. Allowed to breathe, it releases tree sap, tobacco and chocolate-covered berries.

Taste: Intense wood-like flavours with notes of cough syrups, vanilla and forest berries. Dusty, ashy and strong finish releases a very pronounced tobacco aroma.

Noh Whisky Karuizawa 1981 cask#155 Asakura-jō

This label features the mask of the Noh character, Asakura-jō, an elderly common man.

Category: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1981
Bottled: 2013
Age: 31 years
Cask type: Sherry Butt
Cask number: #155
Number of bottles: 595
Strength: 56 %
Size: 700ml

Colour: Warm Walnut.

Aroma: Pretty classic for Karuizawa but excellent and intense. Full of new wood, wet pipe, tobacco, caramel, oak and cacao. Slightly smokey tones with the addition of bittery-sour, cherry notes.

Taste: Powerful, and balanced. Punchy, leathery, woody notes with varnish. Good sweetness, similar to dried plums and cooked citrus, jam, and autumnal spices. Serves a very long, woody but not mouth-drying finish.