Karuizawa 1981

Karuizawa Whisky » Karuizawa 1981

For collectors, Karuizawa 1981 represents a unique opportunity to own a piece of Japanese whisky history. Produced shortly before the distillery’s closure, this bottle has become a prized possession in the world of whisky collecting.

• Karuizawa 1981 35YO – Shibari – Set 4 bottles
• Karuizawa 1981/2017 35yo 57,7% cask#6412 Fazzino
• Karuizawa 1981 30yo 60,8% cask#2084 Symbols of Japan
• Karuizawa 1981 35 years old ‘Lucky Coin’
• Karuizawa 1981 35YO Shibari Nawa “White”
• Karuizawa 1981 35YO Shibari Nawashi “Red”
• Karuizawa 1981 35YO Shibari Karada “Blue”
• Karuizawa 1981 35YO Shibari Nawa-Do “Black”
• Karuizawa 1981 35YO cask #6183 ‘Lucky Coin’
• Karuizawa 1981 35YO cask #4059 ‘Lucky Coin’
• Karuizawa 1981/2014 33yo 55,3% cask#136 Artifices Serie
• Karuizawa 1981/2013 31yo 60,5% cask#78 Prendre le rythme
• Karuizawa 1981/2013 32yo 57,3% cask#8461 en Soi
• Karuizawa 1981/2011 20yo 57,5% cask#6256 for Whisky Exchange
• Karuizawa 1981/2011 30yo 53,8% cask#6370 Fire Dragon
• Karuizawa 1981/2012 31yo 54,5% cask#7982 Whisky Magazine Editor’s Choice
• Karuizawa 1981/2009 28yo 59,6% cask#7981 Single Cask Number One Drinks Company
• Karuizawa 1981/2013 cask#6056 60,3% The Whisky Exchange
• Karuizawa 1981 35yo 57,3% cask#226 Battle of Kawanakajima

The rarity of Karuizawa 1981, coupled with the distillery’s now-iconic status, has driven up its value significantly in recent years. Collectors and investors alike view this bottle as a cornerstone of any serious Japanese whisky collection, recognizing its potential for long-term appreciation as the market for rare and old whiskies continues to grow.

Noh Whisky 1981

• Karuizawa 1981/35yo cask#6183 Noh Whisky
• Karuizawa 1981/2013 31yo 66,3% cask#4333 Noh Whisky Shiwa-Shiwa-jō
• Karuizawa 1981/2013 31yo 56% cask#155 Noh Whisky
• Karuizawa 1981/2012 31yo 58,6% cask#4676 Noh Whisky Namanari
• Karuizawa 1981/2013 31yo 58,9% cask#348 Noh Whisky Rōjo
• Karuizawa 1981/2013 31yo 62,3% cask#8775 Noh Whisky
• Karuizawa 1981/2017 35yo 60,6% cask#4059 Noh Whisky

Karuizawa Whisky – Closed Japanese Distillery

Karuizawa is an increasingly rare Japanese single malt from a distillery that ceased operations permanently. Established in 1955, Karuizawa aimed to craft a Japanese whisky that mirrored the Scottish tradition, particularly focusing on Sherry-aged expressions like The Macallan. The distillery used small stills and Sherry butts, which were originally modified to fit the wine racks from its days as a winery. Equally coveted are the Karuizawa Geisha 1981, Karuizawa Noh 1981 and Karuizawa Vintage 1981, each representing the exceptional quality and heritage of the distillery’s output from that year.

Karuizawa Geisha 1981

• Karuizawa 1981/2012 31yo 60,4% cask#2100 Geisha Label
• Karuizawa – Geisha 1981 35YO The Splendid Age Collection
• cKaruizawa 1981/2013 31yo 60,6% cask#3555 Geisha Label
• Karuizawa 1981/2012 31yo 56,7% cask#2042 Geisha
• Karuizawa 1981/2017 31yo 59,4% cask#3667 Golden Geisha

Vintage 1981

• Karuizawa 1981/2014 33yo 54,5% cask#152 Vintage
• Karuizawa 1981/2007 26yo 58.1% cask#103 Vintage
• Karuizawa 1981/2011 30yo 56,6% cask#7924 Vintage
• Karuizawa 1981/2011 30yo 57.0% cask#8309 Vintage
• Karuizawa 1981/2011 30yo 55,2% cask#2634 Vintage
• Karuizawa 1981/2011 30yo 64,8% cask#8800 Vintage
• Karuizawa 1981/2011 30yo 58,3% cask#6207 Vintage
• Karuizawa 1981/2011 30yo 59,6% cask#7925 Vintage

One of its notable releases is Karuizawa 1981 cask 136 distilled in March 1981 and bottled in July 2014. This is Japanese whisky from Artifices Series by Warren Khong. Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 33 Year Old #136 Artifices Series Warren Khong #009​ features the unique print #060: Artifices 009 bottled at cask strength. Another significant release is the Karuizawa 1981/2012 cask#162 Cocktail Series, distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2012 for La Maison du Whisky, produced from single cask #162. Similar to Karuizawa from the Geisha series, Noh series, and Vintage series, these two types of whisky are equally highly sought after.