It’s widely regarded as the world’s rarest whisky, so the opportunity to get your hands on a bottle of Karuizawa whisky is one many will not want to miss.
Karuizawa began production in 1956, and was the smallest distillery in Japan before being mothballed in 2000 and closed in 2011 and demolished in 2016. Small and closed, old and rare a series of factors that drives the demand for this whisky and which makes the release of two bottlings from leading UK retailer The Whisky Exchange so exciting.
The Sapphire Geishas is the fifth launch in the Geisha series bottled by Elixir Distillers and available exclusively for whisky fans and collectors across the globe through The Whisky Exchange. The latest Geishas are a pair of single-cask, richly-sherried whiskies, aged for 31 and 36 years. Only 146 bottles of the 31 year-old and 105 bottles of the 36 year-old are available, with bottles retailing at £12,500 and £15,000 respectively.
Because of the rarity of these whiskies and the impending demand juggernaut they will bring the bottles will only be available through an online ballot. The ballot now open and will close at 11:59pm GMT on Wednesday 26 February.
Sukhinder Singh, co-founder and owner of The Whisky Exchange, says: “With the continued interest in Japanese whisky on a global scale, Karuizawa has been at the forefront of the phenomenal rise in value of rare Japanese whisky.
“The fact that the distillery has not produced whisky for so many years makes it particularly valuable to collectors around the world, causing the price of these releases to increase as soon as they are made available. Karuizawa produced exquisite liquids which we aim bring to life with our series of Geisha bottlings.”
In terms of tasting notes, The Whisky Exchange says: “Intensely rich and complex, Karuizawa 31 Year-Old Sapphire Geisha displays thick chocolate and leather notes on the nose and powerful dried fruit notes with a deep, earthy savouriness on the palate. The finish combines aromatic incense with cedar and chocolate covered Seville oranges.
“Karuizawa 36 Year-Old Sapphire Geisha brings rich, dried cherries and raisins, with leafy, damp wood and cedar notes on the nose, while giving a kick of chocolate covered liquorice combined with blackcurrants, hints of tar and spice with a brown sugar sweetness on the palate. Mint and pine linger on the finish with soft, dried fruit and hints of black liquorice.”
Raj Chavda, Elixir Distiller’s creative director and Royal Society of Art fellow, designed the striking bottles. He explains: “As part of the Karuizawa Geisha’s journey, I was inspired by sapphire blue – a revered colour that is both synonymous with Japan’s oceans and said to be graced with divine power. I combined this with dragon detailing in the background to create the impression of subtle but unmistakeable strength, reflecting the wisdom and position she has acquired.”
To get in the running for these, register on the ballot before 26 February at www.thewhiskyexchange.com.
