Karuizawa 1965 Monyou Edition Bourbon LMDW

Karuizawa 1965 Monyou Edition Bourbon LMDW, 50 YO, 62,6 %

This unique whisky is part of a pair. French whisky importer, retailer, independent bottler and all-round whisky fun house La Maison du Whisky (LMDW), recently released two 50 year old Karuizawas. One bourbon matured (this one) and one sherry matured.

The Karuizawa 1965 Monyou Edition Bourbon LMDW is a single cask release (cask #8636). It was distilled in December 1965, and bottled in January 2016. The total outturn was 199 bottles, and it was bottled at a cask strength of 62,6 %. According to Marlene Leon from LMDW, who has actually seen the cask, it appeared to be a custom built or re-built cask, almost puncheon-like in shape.

I got the chance to taste this very rare whisky at a once-in-a-lifetime tasting arranged by Symposion in Stockholm on April 1 this year.

Nose: Powered sugar and mild balsamic notes. Soft oak, menthol, and something that reminds me of tiger balm. After a few minutes I also find coconut top notes. There's Christmas cake, cinnamon, dark chocolate, peanuts, and berries.

Taste: Dry and rich mouthfeel. Spices and tempered sweetness. Intense and savory, rich and refined. Yeah, I know... Tropical notes, and a pinch of demerara sugars. It feels very much alive and fresh for its age.

Finish: Very long finish. Still intense! Slightly oaky towards the end, but not over-oaked in the least.

Comments: This old timer still has a hefty spring in its step, that's for sure. Wow!

Score (94/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas

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Please note that my participation on this tasting was  sponsored by Symposion. All the text and the opinions are my own, but you deserve to know.

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