Type: Japanese Single Malt Whisky

Distillery: Karuizawa

Distilled Year: 1999-2000

Number Of Bottles: 3×35

ABV: 46%, 48% and 55%

Packaging: WS Heavy bottle made of glass of high purity and designed by Wealth Solutions creative team, painting on the glass, box designed specially for this project and made of oak wood.

Koi fish are the symbol of prosperity, good fortune, and perseverance in Japanese culture, as well as in Chinese culture. According to legend, if a koi fish climbs the falls and reaches a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River, it will transform into a dragon. In another version, it is said the koi fish will swim upstream no matter what the conditions are, and it will choose death rather than failure. Thanks to this, they have become a symbol of motivation and aspiration. Today, koi fish are bred in many countries in garden ponds for decorative purposes. They have 120 colour versions and shiny scales. These are some of the reasons why koi fish are a very popular motif in Japanese art.

Kin Showa
All metallic Showa are known as Kin Showa. The metallic luster appear strong throughout the entire body of the koi. The key Showa elements are wraparound sumi, motoguro in the pectoral fins, and the classic intrusion of an interesting black pattern onto the head.

Kohaku
The Kohaku breed is believed to be one of the first ornamental carp varieties developed. The variety dates to 1888. The Kohaku remains one of the most popular breeds in Japan. The bright red markings are known as hi (緋).

Ochiba
Ochiba koi, or more commonly known as Ochiba Shigure, is a variety of koi fish. Called Ochiba Shigure literally translates as “autumn leaves on the water”, which perfectly describes their glowing cross-linked petals arranged in a position that gives the impression left by floating leaves.

The distillery was established in 1955 by Daikoku-budoshu. The owner decided to build the facility in the town of Karuizawa located in the foothills of the active Asama volcano, a popular tourist destination in Japan.

Karuizawa was a small distillery producing alcoholic beverages with the use of traditional methods. In pursuit of the highest quality, Karuizawa was contained in casks previously filled with sherry and imported from Spain. Similar to its equivalent from the home of whisky, Scotland, Karuizawa is aged in sherry casks. However, the flavour of whisky is also influenced by local features that give it its unique character. Spring water drawn from the volcanic hills of Asama, freezing winters and hot summers are all hinted at in the flavour of this beverage and make it truly one of a kind. Karuizawa is very rich and aromatic with a distinct sherry profile.

Karuizawa used to produce whisky on a small-scale and was rather focused on the domestic market. This continued from its establishment in 1955 until 2000 when the production was ceased. Although whisky is no longer produced, there were still some casks left, but every year the number decreases.

Unfortunately for Karuizawa, it gained world recognition only after it ceased production. Since 2006, Karuizawa whisky has been reaching whisky lovers from all around the world thanks to the Number One Drinks company. When the world heard about Karuizawa, it immediately fell in love with the beverage produced in the foothills of the Asama mountain.

As Karuizawa is no longer licensed to produce alcoholic beverages and the building of the distillery has a new owner, there will be no new casks on the market. No one knows when the last whisky will be bottled…