Karuizawa – Cherry Trees – Set of 3 bottles of Japanese whisky, distilled between 1999-2000 and bottled in 2019.

It’s worth knowing that in Japan, cherry blossoms (Sakura/ 桜) symbolize clouds due to their nature of blooming en masse, besides being an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, an aspect of Japanese cultural tradition that is often associated with Buddhist influence. The transience of the blossoms, the exquisite beauty and volatility, has often been associated with mortality and graceful and readily acceptance of destiny and karma; for this reason, cherry blossoms are richly symbolic, and have been utilized often in Japanese art.

The Karuizawa Cherry Tree Set includes 3 bottles:

Karuizawa 1999-2000 Vintages Cherry Tree Red
Karuizawa 1999-2000 Vintages Cherry Tree Pink
Karuizawa 1999-2000 Vintages Cherry Tree White

Type: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1999-2000
Bottled: 2019
Strength: Red 48 %, White 46%, Pink 50,5%
Bottling series: Cherry Tree
Size: 3 x 700 ml
Number of bottles produced: Red 36, White 36, Pink 36
Packaging: Heavy WS glass bottle with gold painting, wooden box and booklet.

Cherry Tree – Red, Pink, White

The enchanting Karuizawa Cherry Blossom Tree collection featuring three exquisite bottles: karuizawa, cherry blossom, cherry tree. Each bottle captures the beauty of Japan, with cherry blossom trees blooming on the grounds of the Karuizawa distillery or another place, where grow these trees. A true homage to the iconic cherry blossoms of Karuizawa. This collection of three bottles featuring trees on their labels is a testament to the uniqueness of Karuizawa whisky, a legacy of the renowned, now-closed distillery.

Karuizawa Cherry Tree – Red Edition 

Type: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1999-2000
Bottled: 2019
Strength: 48%
Bottling serie: Cherry Tree – Red Edition
Size: 700 ml
Number of bottles produced: 36

Karuizawa Cherry Tree – Pink Edition

Type: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1999-2000
Bottled: 2019
Strength: 50,5%
Bottling serie: Cherry Tree – Pink Edition
Size: 700 ml
Number of bottles produced: 36

Karuizawa Cherry Tree – White Edition 

Type: Japanese whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Distilled: 1999-2000
Bottled: 2019
Strength: 46%
Bottling serie: Cherry Tree – White Edition
Size: 700 ml
Number of bottles produced: 36

Karuizawa distillery

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. Currently, there are only 300 Karuizawa casks in the world. Three-quarters of these date back to the 1990s, and there are only 14 casks left from the 1960s.

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…