Elixir Distillers has released a Karuizawa 47 Year Old single malt Japanese whisky exclusively in travel retail.
The single cask expression (53.2% ABV) is limited to just 58 bottles and retails at £50,000 (US$60,527). A first release of five bottles at the DFS Masters of Wines & Spirits in Macau earlier this year sold out quickly. Collaborations with other retailers are being finalised, said the company.
Over the past ten years, Karuizawa has become one of the world’s most highly regarded and collectible whiskies. Built in 1956 in the foothills of Mount Asama, the Karuizawa distillery took inspiration from leading Scotch whiskies such as The Macallan, ageing their single malts in first-fill sherry casks and using Golden Promise barley for distilling their spirit.
The distillery was closed in 2001 and demolished in 2016. |
The Karuizawa 47 Year Old has been bottled in a bespoke 50cl decanter and is presented in a box designed by Elixir Distillers Creative Director Raj ‘Mr C’ Chavda.
According to Elixir, the concept behind the packaging is to reflect the whisky’s harmony and elegance through form and symbolism. The ensō – a hand-drawn circle key to zen art – represents oneness and all things contained within it; “the epitome of balance and a perfect representation of the whisky held within”.
“This single cask release offers a rare glimpse into some of the oldest whisky ever seen from this closed Japanese distillery,” Elixir Distillers noted, adding that it was selected by Elixir Distillers Founder and Karuizawa expert Sukhinder Singh.
“I am very happy to finally share this special Karuizawa bottling with the world,” he said. “We are looking forward to working with our global travel retail partners to make this whisky available to their customers and help them enhance their luxury range of travel retail whiskies.”
Elixir Distillers is recognised for its Karuizawa bottlings, including the sought-after Geisha series of single casks.
Founded by Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh, Elixir Distillers specialises in Scotch whisky and rum but also features Japanese whisky, tequila and other spirits. Its core brands include Port Askaig, Elements of Islay, Single Malts of Scotland and Black Tot which are available in over 25 international markets. A new Elixir distillery, on the Scottish island of Islay, is set to open next year. |
