Karuizawa / 1988, Aged 17 Years

Karuizawa

1988, Aged 17 Years

ABV 59.3%
REVIEWED Issue 56

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Specifications

Brand: Karuizawa
Expression: 1988, Aged 17 Years
Type: Japan Whisky / Single Malt
Age: No Age Statement
ABV: 59.3%
Country/Region: Japan
Bottling type: Standard (Distillery or blended)

Awards

Recommended
Issue 56

Tasting notes

Taster Dave Broom

Nose: Exotic: flat cola, wet bamboo, hedgerow, sour black cherry mixed with coconut, chocolate and green fig. With water, eucalyptus.
Palate: Shows real maturity, complexity and balance. Tongue-coating with layers of flavour and good weight. The oiliest so far.
Finish: Long, with a refreshing tart grip.
Comment: This has excellent backbone and manages to integrate fully the bitter edge that creeps into many of these.

8.8

Taster Martine Nouet

Nose: Spirity at first then vanilla smooths the rough edges. Sherry shows up. Plum jam, fig molasses. Oak makes its way quite assertively.
Palate: Definitely sherried. Chocolate, dried fruit. Develops on dry bitterness. Water takes astringence away, but then too much sugar.
Finish: Dry, oaky, astringent.
Comment: Sherry masks the distillery character. Fine if you are a big fan. That sickening sweetness with water added is questionable.

7.3

Visit the distillery

Karuizawa (Closed 2011) Distillery, Naganoken, Kitasakogun, Miyotamachi, Oaza Maseguchi, Japan

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