Karuizawa 1995 Single Cask 15 Year Old #5027 / Chateau Mercian Rouge Cask

Volume: 480ml / ABV: 69.4%

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The Karuizawa 1995 Single Cask 15 Year Old #5027, aged in a Chateau Mercian Rouge cask, is a highly collectible whisky from one of Japan's most legendary distilleries, Karuizawa. This particular bottle was distilled in 1995 and matured for 15 years in a single ex-Chateau Mercian cask, marked as cask #5027. The whisky is notable for its unique aging process, utilising a cask that previously held Chateau Mercian Rouge, imparting distinct characteristics to the final product.

Karuizawa Distillery, established in 1955 in the town of Miyota on the southern slopes of Mount Asama, began its production journey in 1956. Initially facing challenges in malt procurement, the distillery saw a significant change post-1958 when import restrictions were lifted, allowing it to experiment with Speyside-esque products. This experimentation led to the distillery's recognition in the 1980s when Karuizawa single malts were introduced in Japan. Despite its eventual closure in 2001 by its owners, Mercian, and its dismantling, Karuizawa's legacy continues through its sought-after single cask releases, which began appearing in 2007.

The distillery's history is marked by its small size and its ownership transitions, ultimately being owned by Mercian Corporation. It played a significant role in the production of popular blended whiskies under the Ocean Whisky brand, alongside Kawasaki grain whisky. However, unable to compete with giants like Suntory and Nikka, the focus shifted towards the emerging popularity of Karuizawa single malt. The distillery was mothballed in 2000 and officially closed in 2011, with its remaining whisky stock purchased, re-branded, and released as luxury whiskies.

The Karuizawa 1995 Single Cask 15 Year Old #5027 is part of the "Rouge Cask" series, which consists of single casks from the 1995 vintage, all aged in ex-red wine casks. This series is known for its unique flavour profile, attributed to the influence of the red wine casks used for aging.

This particular bottle, with its rich history and unique aging process, represents a piece of Japanese whisky heritage, making it a highly sought-after item for collectors and enthusiasts alike.