Nose: Notes of toasted oak, toffee, dry earth, steel, mild wood stain, cloves and dried papaya. Can’t say it’s particularly bold or expressive and the sherry influence is non existent to my nose. Color is orange rather than the dark cherry you will see in many sherry cask matured whiskies. Very mild at 62.5%abv.
Palate: 62.5% certainly reveals itself on the palate. For a moment there’s quite some juicy fruit flavors though more like you would get in fruit candies/lollies. After that hotter elements like chili take over though they also fade fast followed by the earthy flavor, also dried pears and papaya, nutmeg, roasted chestnut and Manuka honey. Adding water actually brings the hotter elements forward in the mix and they also hang on longer so not recommended for my palate.
Finish: Metallic minerals, peanut butter and a charred element. Fades quickly.
Last Word: It’s Ok but certainly would not buy it at current prices. Also, where’s the sherry influence!? Would take a bottle of Nikka WFTB over this any day.
Rating: 81/100
Hi Brian, Karuizawa is one of those single malts where the discrepancy between “hit” and “miss” is rather large, and in my view there is more of the latter than the former. Over the years I had the opportunity to own, try and assess quite a few of them, and while I had about two stellar bottlings, the rest were either so-so or disappointing. In view of the current prices I have not had a drop of Karuizawa in about three years and I do not regret that.
Pretty much mirrors my experience Pierre. This review was done from a sample swap I did about 5 years ago that has been sitting in the wardrobe. Think I have one or two more of those samples left.
I also haven’t bought a bottle for at least 3 years though I still have some open ones with various levels.
In reality most whisky drinkers will never taste one and that will most likely include some wealthy investors who own bottles but would never dream of cracking one open as it would ruin their value.