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Karuizawa
Once home to some of the finest Japanese single malts ever produced, Karuizawa Distillery crafted whisky of extraordinary depth and character before closing its doors in 2000. Today, Karuizawa Whisky is among the rarest and most collectible in the world, with bottles prized for their deep sherry influence, complex flavors, and exceptional craftsmanship.
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Karuizawa is the gold standard of rare Japanese whisky.
The distillery closed its doors in 2011, although it had not been producing whisky for over a decade. This particular discontinued 12 years old whisky 2001 won a Gold Medal in the Best Whisky of IWSC.
Karuizawa 'Sapphire Geisha' 31 Year Old Single Cask Malt Whisky
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$39,999.00
Unit price / perKaruizawa 'Sapphire Geisha' 31 Year Old Single Cask Malt Whisky
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$39,999.00
Unit price / perA 31-year-old Karuizawa single malt, matured in a single sherry cask for more than three decades before being bottled by Elixir Distillers exclusively for The Whisky Exchange's Karuizawa Geishas series. The bottle features a label designed by our creative director Raj Chavda, paying homage to the exquisite, inaccessible beauty of the meiko on her way to become geisha.
Tasting Notes
Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange
Nose
Thick chocolate sauce and leather, with seaweedy umami, rich riverbank loam and singed raisins. Sweeter and lighter notes of minty dark chocolate and glacé cherries develop in the glass along with hints of menthol and blackcurrant. Mint fondant wrapped in chocolate builds before fading slowly to reveal old damp oak boards, polished oak tables and rich forest-floor earthiness.
Palate
A burst of dark brown sugar sweetness is balanced by deep earth and oak savouriness before mint and menthol burst through the middle. Bittersweet chocolate and dried cherries sit alongside cigar-box cedar and damp tree bark. Intense dried-fruit notes build: rich dates and prunes with sweet raisins and sultanas. Lighter fruit emerges, with dried pineapple and baked apples heavily dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar.
Finish
Aromatic incense, cedar and polished oak provide a base for cherries, mixed berries, mint chocolate chips and chocolate-covered Seville oranges. The fruit fades away to leave bittersweet molasses and fragrant bark.
Karuizawa Whisky – The Lost Treasure of Japanese Whisky
The story of Karuizawa Distillery is one of craftsmanship, scarcity, and legend. Founded in 1955 at the foot of Mount Asama, this small Japanese distillery focused on traditional Scottish-style whisky production, using imported barley, sherry cask aging, and meticulous attention to detail. Despite its exceptional quality, Karuizawa was never a mass producer, and by 2000, the distillery ceased operations—leaving behind only a finite stock of some of the most coveted Japanese whisky in history.
What Makes Karuizawa Whisky So Special?
Unlike modern Japanese whisky brands that blend multiple sources, Karuizawa Whisky was crafted using 100% malted barley and aged in high-quality sherry casks, giving it deep, complex layers of dark fruit, chocolate, spice, and oak. Over time, these rare whiskies have only grown in prestige, commanding attention from collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Many of Karuizawa’s releases were bottled as single-cask whiskies, meaning each expression is unique, with limited bottles available. This extreme rarity—paired with its exceptional quality—has cemented Karuizawa Whisky as one of the most sought-after names in the whisky world.
Explore Our Selection of Karuizawa Whisky
We specialize in sourcing rare and collectible bottles, from Karuizawa’s legendary vintage releases to single-cask editions that have become whisky collector’s holy grails. Whether you’re looking for a specific vintage or an elusive bottling, our selection includes some of the finest examples of Karuizawa Whisky available.
Looking for a Specific Karuizawa Bottle?
If you don’t see the Karuizawa Whisky you’re searching for, we can help. Our team specializes in sourcing rare and exclusive Japanese whiskies. Use our contact form to request a bottle, and we’ll do our best to track it down for you.
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