Karuizawa Vintage 1979 33 YO Cask #7752

Karuizawa Vintage 1979 33 YO Cask #7752, 59,9 %

We came across a "new", old Karuizawa a couple of days ago, and of course had to try it. This is the Karuizawa Vintage 1979 33 YO Cask #7752. It was distilled in December 1979, and bottled in July 2013. It has been matured in an ex-sherry cask, and is as usual released by Number One Drinks Co. This release was for the Japanese market only.

I very often turn to the excellent blog Nonjatta when I look for details on Japanese whiskies. I found further details there this time as well, and I quote:

Part of this cask was bottled in 2006 for sale at the distillery shop so you may come across a 200 ml bottle with the same cask number on it. The present bottling – everything that was left in the cask – is limited to 348 bottles.

This is one of the oldest Karuizawa whiskies I have tasted, and it is quite expensive if you can even find it anymore. I was lucky enough to taste this at Bar Moonshine in Tokyo, where Mitsuru-san charged a very reasonable price for a dram.

Nose (24/25): Caramel pudding (dessert) with lots of dried fruits; raisins, figs, dates and plums. It is warm and soft on the nose. After a few minutes I also find furniture polish, soft leather, warm orange juice, melted milk chocolate and nuts. A stunning nose, that keeps developing in wave after wave.

Taste (22/25): Caramel, dried fruits (again raisins, figs and dates), and milk chocolate. Rich and complex. A little dry, with oaky spiciness lurking in the background.

Finish (22/25): Dark chocolate - pure and very dark indeed. Dried fruits still, and a bit more oak influence. It now becomes very dry, almost a little too much. It has a slight edge to it, not exactly a bitterness, but something similar. Nothing unpleasant, more interesting actually.

Balance (23/25): Complex, rich, and challenging. If you like Karuizawa and sweet desserts, then this is certainly a dram for you!

Score (91/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas