Karuizawa Spirit of Asama

The Spirit of Asama is an incredible, legendary whisky from Japan's Karuizawa distillery. It is a vatting of 77 different sherry casks which were laid down in 1999 and 2000. A brilliant whisky from the closed distillery, presented in original box, this is truly a collector's item.

Karuizawa Distillery was established in 1955 in the foothills of Mount Asama, an active volcano northwest of Tokyo, to make single malt in as traditional a manner as possible. At 850 metres above sea level, low temperatures and high humidity provided an ideal micro-climate for whisky production. Arguably the most famous Japanese Whisky for collectors in the world.

Tasting notes from other reviews:

NOSE: Almond and hazelnut, pine resin and Christmas cask. Hints of morello cherry, boiled sweets and dessert wine, spice, truffle and pine needles

Palate: Very rich palate entry with notes of sultanas and dark chocolate. Soft smoke and overripe grape. Clove oil and nutmeg and hints of truffles

FINISH: Long finish, sweet sherry and gentle wood smoke