Karuizawa – 1968 Single Cask for La Maison du Whisky (70cl, 61.1%)

This is a single cask Karuizawa distilled in 1968 and bottled on 17 June 2010 at 61.1% by Number One Drinks for La Maison du Whisky. Karuizawa was founded in 1955 and was Japan's smallest whisky distillery. In 1959 it became the first Japanese distillery to export whisky overseas. Production stopped in 2000 and the distillery closed in 2011. The nose is described as precious woods with figs, dates, mead, dried apricot, camphor and cured ham, and a walk in the forest after rain once water is added. The palate offers mint, ginger, cinnamon, prunes, fruitcake and various honeys. The finish is dry and oaky.