Karuizawa 1965 Japonisme Edition - 60th Anniversary LMDW
Karuizawa 1965 Japonisme Edition - 60th Anniversary LMDW, 50 YO, 62,4 %
Finally I have finished my review of the third 50 YO Karuizawa exclusive for La Maison du Whisky (LMDW). This time it is a super luxurious blended malt, a mix of the two 50 YO single malts from Karuizawa that I reviewed earlier this year (the Monyou Bourbon and the Monyou Sherry). The mix is approximately 1/3 from the bourbon cask and 2/3 from the sherry cask.
This whisky was released in February 2017, and amazingly sold out quickly, even with a price tag of € 25 000.
Here is the official blurb from LMDW:
"In the footsteps of the Karuizawa Legacy Edition that introduced the limited edition of Karuizawa 1960 in 2013, Karuizawa Japonisme Edition celebrates the 60th Anniversary of La Maison du Whisky through the influence Japanese culture and civilization has had over French art and artists for the last 150 years. This celebration has given birth to a worldwide limited edition of 60 pieces of a Karuizawa 1965, resulting of the vatting of part of cask #2372 (ex sherry cask) and cask #8636 (ex bourbon cask).
This whisky is a model of balance – an invitation to explore a world of aromas and flavours that lived in this legendary distillery. And in this bottle, the idea of Le Japonisme extends, from artistic endeavor to the history and craft of exquisite whisky. In this bottle, Le Japonisme is truly alive and well."
The engraved scene on the bottles shows a 19th century picture of France on one side looking at Japan on the other side. A French man and a Japanese woman.
Nose: Super light, vanilla, caramel, sherry & bourbon in perfect harmony, Very complex and deep. Marshmallows, nuts, dried fruits, floral notes, and tropical top notes. It continues to develop over time. Surprisingly fresh.
Taste: Super smooth with medium sweetness and medium body. Leather and caramel. Rich, dark-ish, mint chocolate. Tropical fruits and again soft floral notes.
Finish: Very long finish. Light spices. I find menthol, and rich, deep notes of oak. It is not dry, on the contrary it is still very much alive.
Comments: Perfect harmony...
Score (96/100)
Sláinte! - Thomas
