Blimey. I have so many samples that I tend to forget some of the interesting ones that are hidden in my drawers… how stupid is that? Not that I mind discovering three Karuizawa expressions that I hadn’t tried, of course. One of them is this Karuizawa 1981 Sakura cask #158, a release of only 45 bottles! The rarest Karuizawa ever?
Sakura is the typical Japanese sherry blossom. It was a special release for Prineus, the German distributor for No.1 Drinks and Karuizawa.
Karuizawa 31 yo 1981 (62,8%, OB 2012, Sakura series, sherry cask #158, 45 btl.)
Karuizawa 31 yo 1981 (62,8%, OB 2012, Sakura series, sherry cask #158, 45 btl.)Nose: the fruity, sweet kind of Karuizawa. Lovely black cherries, prune jam and blackberries. Fig compote – all typical, but also frankly tropical notes, like papaya and passion fruits. Tobacco-infused pralines (yes, they exist). Lots of pipe aromas actually. Precious exotic woods (sandalwood, thuja). Oil paint. Cinnamon. Soft hints of camphor and menthol. Wet forest soils. Just exquisite. Water brings out waxed papers.
Mouth: very big. There’s a big mentholated / peppery heat that almost numbs your palate. Let’s add a few drops of water. Sweeter and fruitier now (plums, figs), but still peppery and gingery. Dry ashes, mixing with tobacco, earthy tea and dry wood, including a bit of sourness and smoke. Coffee.
Finish: very long, with lots of herbal notes, almost medicinal hints. Tannins too.
Stunning Karuizawa, with one of the fruitiest noses I’ve come across from this distillery. The palate is significantly drier though, but still really impressive. Originally around € 350 but I don’t think it actually arrived on the shelves. Now around € 7500 (!) in auctions.
Score: 94/100