Ballot Open for Rare Karuizawa 35 Year Single Malt Japanese Whisky

January 31, 2018

let’s begin

A ballot for dekantā’s Karuizawa The Cities of Japan 35 Year Old Sherry Cask collection, showcasing bottle designs inspired by Japan’s most iconic cities with rare Japanese whisky of the silent distillery, closes Wednesday 7 February at midnight (GMT).

Authentic Japanese spirits retailer dekantā have just announced the opening of their ballot to buy one of the world’s rarest whiskies, a 35 year old single sherry cask whisky, of which only 150 bottles are available, from the closed Karuizawa distillery. Each of the Karuizawa 35 Year Old Cities of Japan Sherry Cask ($12,500, 70cl, 59.4%) bottles carries one of six limited edition designs, embodying the character of Japan’s most exciting and iconic cities, Tokyo, Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, Yokohama and Kobe. Since the Karuizawa distillery ceased production in 2000, demand for Japanese whisky, and the limited Karuizawa stock, has increased dramatically, pushing up prices as a result.

“Karuizawa is synonymous with quality, luxury, and rarity. We’re overjoyed to offer our clients a piece of this legendary silent distillery, and to unveil the beautiful bottle designs honouring six great cities of Japan,” said Makiyo Masa, Founder and Director of dekantā. Through the collection’s six bespoke bottle designs, dekantā aims to take Japanese whisky lovers on a sensual tour of modern Japan; from the never-sleeping Tokyo, through the snowy land of Sapporo in Hokkaido, along Osaka’s edgy streets and Kobe’s stylish fashion-forward districts, on to tranquil Yokohama and vibrant Nagoya.

Winners of the ballot will be offered the opportunity to purchase a bottle of the Karuizawa 35 Year Old Cities of Japan Sherry Cask. Each entry can be for one selection, or multiple selections, from the limited edition designs. The ballot will close at 11.59 GMT on Wednesday 7 February 2018, when ballot winners will be contacted with details on how to complete their purchase. Any winners who do not exercise their opportunity to purchase their allocated bottle within three days will have their winning ballets redrawn, and new winners will be contacted.

To enter the ballot for the Karuizawa 35 Year Old Cities of Japan Sherry Cask, visit https://dekanta.com/ballot35/ to express interest in one or more of the limited design editions, before 11.59 GMT on Wednesday 7 February 2018.

Tasting Notes

This exceptional Karuizawa has spent over three and a half decades maturing in a first fill sherry cask. Over this time, the spirit has been imbued with the flavor and character of the cask to develop a rich, dark and complex nose: opening with notes of liquorice, roasted coffee beans and dark chocolate; cinnamon, ginger and clove make an appearance after the initial intensity has waned. The sherry cask delivers a sweet and creamy palate, peppered with spice, now joined by dark chocolate, umami and succulent forest fruits. Prunes, dates and plums intensify near the finish. The finish is long and satisfying, a reminder of the significant time spent in the cask, bringing cocoa, extra spice and a touch of mango.

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.