Karuizawa
The Karuizawa whisky distillery was established in 1955 by Daikoku-budoshu. The owner decided to build the facility in the town of Karuizawa located in the foothills of the active Asama volcano, a popular tourist destination in Japan.
Karuizawa was a small whisky distillery producing alcoholic beverages with the use of traditional methods. In pursuit of the highest quality, Karuizawa whisky was contained in casks previously filled with sherry and imported from Spain. Similar to its equivalent from the home of whisky, Scotland, Karuizawa is aged in sherry casks. However, the flavour of whisky is also influenced by local features that give it its unique character. Spring water drawn from the volcanic hills of Asama, freezing winters and hot summers are all hinted at in the flavour of this beverage and make it truly one of a kind. Karuizawa whisky is very rich and aromatic with a distinct sherry profile.
Production of Karuizawa whisky
Karuizawa used to produce whisky on a small-scale and was rather focused on the domestic market. This continued from its establishment in 1955 until 2000 when the production was ceased. Although whisky is no longer produced, there were still some casks left, but every year the number decreases. Currently, there are only 300 Karuizawa whisky casks in the world. Three-quarters of these date back to the 1990s, and there are only 14 casks left from the 1960s.
Unfortunately for Karuizawa, it gained world recognition only after it ceased production. Since 2006, Karuizawa whisky has been reaching whisky lovers from all around the world. When the world heard about Karuizawa whisky, it immediately fell in love with the beverage produced in the foothills of the Asama mountain.
