Karuizawa

Karuizawa Distillery was founded in 1955 and situated in Asama vineyard to the west of the town of Karuizawa. Karuizawa’s location was chosen as it closely resembles that of Scotland’s though the summer’s much hotter and the winter’s much colder. Although it was the smallest distillery in the country, it adopted high standards in the production of whiskey. It incorporated the use of Golden Promise, a variety which is more robust and tasty in flavour.  This type of barley is hard to come by as it produces much less yield which is the main reason why farmers prefer not to grow it.

The whiskey’s were distilled in small batches and aged in the finest Spanish cherry casks. The water would come from the rivers which runs through the volcanic lava surrounding the place which made its taste unique.

This is the making of the Karuizawa legacy in the whisky world.

Karuizawa was subsequently acquired by the Kirin group, owners of the Fuji Gotemba single malt brand.