Karuizawa 1988/2007 – 19-Year-Old Single Malt | The Whisky Fair

A rare and highly collectible bottling from Japan’s most revered closed distillery, the Karuizawa 1988/2007 was released exclusively for The Whisky Fair. Distilled in 1988 and aged for 19 years in a single sherry butt, this expression captures the deep, rich, and complex style that has made Karuizawa legendary among whisky enthusiasts. Bottled at a robust 60.6% ABV, this limited release of only 462 bottles stands as a testament to the distillery’s meticulous craftsmanship and dedication to quality.

Specifications

Type: Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Category: Single Cask
Distillery: Karuizawa
Bottler: The Whisky Fair (WF)
Region: Japan
Vintage: 1988
Bottled: June 2007
Age: 19 years
Cask Type: Sherry Butt
Number of Bottles: 462
Strength: 60.6% ABV
Size: 700ml

About the Distillery

Established in 1955 on the slopes of Mount Asama, an active volcano in central Japan, Karuizawa Distillery became renowned for producing bold, sherry-cask-matured single malts using 100% Scottish barley. The cool, humid microclimate contributed to exceptionally slow maturation and high natural alcohol retention, resulting in remarkably concentrated whiskies. Following its closure in 2000 and subsequent demolition, Karuizawa has achieved near-mythical status, with each surviving bottle representing a rare piece of Japan’s whisky heritage.