Karuizawa

Karuizawa Asama, European Oak Sherry Cask, Batch No. 2, Number One Drinks Company, 50.5%

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Catalog product detail, market evidence, tasting notes, reviews, and collection actions.

TypeSingle Malt Whisky
MRI
MRI 31
Average Score
Avg 87
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Description

The Karuizawa Asama 1999 & 2000 is a Japanese Single Malt Whisky from the now-closed Karuizawa distillery, located at the foot of Mount Asama. This expression is a multi-vintage bottling of casks distilled in 1999 and 2000, representing some of the last whisky produced by the distillery before its closure. It was bottled by Number One Drinks Company, who acquired the remaining casks. The whisky was matured predominantly in European oak sherry casks and bottled without chill filtration. This particular release is the 2nd Edition, bottled at 50.5% ABV.

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LatestSGD 2,199
HighSGD 2,199
LowSGD 2,199
SGD 2,463SGD 2,287SGD 2,111SGD 1,935Price (SGD)Observed dateSep 14Sep 14 - SGD 2,199 - Scotch Whisky Auctions - Sep 14, 2025

Recently Sold

Listed value is based on sold auction prices and inclusive of auction fees (not including tax and shipping).

Scotch Whisky AuctionsAuction Sold Price - Sep 14, 2025SGD 2,199.02
Cask type
Sherry Cask
Bottling
Independent Bottling - Number One Drinks Company
Peated
Lightly Peated
Single cask
No
Non-chill filtered
Yes
Cask origin
N.A
Cask no.
N.A
Batch
2
PPM
N.A
Barley
N.A
Fermentation
N.A
Master distiller (bottling)
N.A
Master distiller (distillation)
N.A
Limited edition
Yes
Bottle count
N.A
Has box
Yes
Closure
N.A
Presentation
Box
Series highlights
Named after Mount Asama, this is a multi-vintage bottling of 77 casks from the final 1999 and 2000 vintages of the Karuizawa distillery. This is the 2nd Edition, also referred to as 'Gold Label Limited Edition Bottling'.
Historical context
Karuizawa distillery was mothballed in 2000 and permanently closed in 2011. This bottling represents some of the last whisky produced there.
Special release
Initially sold at a budget price for Karuizawa stock and mainly released in Europe. Selected for Speciality Drinks.
Allocation
Europe
Nose
Cigar smoke, heavy rich dates and plums, attenuated smokey notes, slight touch of peat, rancio profile, lemon, salt, slightly floral, hint of apple blossoms, dark cherries, old leather, fig syrup, dried orange peel, cedar, incense smoke, almond, hazelnut, pine resin, Christmas cake, morello cherry, boiled sweets, dessert wine, spice, truffle, pine needles.
Palate
Deep hard hitting flavor of plum jam and barbeque char, strong ginger spice, cigar fume, complex and layered, drier sherry with dried fruits, sweet syrupy notes (brown sugar, maple), spent matchsticks (gunpowder), chewy texture, great mouthfeel, oranges, raisins, cinnamon, cardamom, burnt brown sugar, faint salty touch, rich fruitcake, blackcurrant jam, roasted espresso beans, spiced oak, balanced sherried warmth, calves leather, soft smoke, overripe grape, clove oil, nutmeg.
Finish
Nice and long, slow lingering smoke, citrusy, lingering sweetness, tobacco, leather, medium long, spicy, metallic hints, sulphury edge, cocoa, dried fruit, sweet pipe tobacco, forest floor, sweet sherry, gentle wood smoke, leathery.
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