Fine wine and spirits specialist Le Clos has launched a world-exclusive collection of vintage Karuizawa Japanese whisky valued at US$300,000.
The one-of-a-kind collection is showcased in a bespoke display at Le Clos’ Dubai International Concourse A outlet.
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The Karuizawa Geisha Series comprises 27 bottles of Karuizawa whisky expressions, which have been aged for 29, 30, 31 and 50 years. The whiskies were bottled in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990.
Le Clos has a long track record selling whiskies, and claims to have the largest range of rare whiskies in travel retail. In December, the company sold a collection of The Macallan Fine and Rare for a travel retail record US$500,000.
MMI (Le Clos’ parent company) COO Iain Delaney said: “We are proud of our proven track record and expertise in sourcing rare and unique products and bringing these to market. Japanese whisky is currently one of the most-coveted products in the luxury drinks market, and the Geisha Series is the pinnacle of Japanese whiskies.”
Consumer demand for Japanese whisky has surged in recent years, and whisky expert and Whisky Bible author Jim Murray even named the Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 as Whisky of the Year in 2015. It was the first time the country had claimed the title, further building awareness of the country’s whisky makers.
Karuizawa ceased producing whisky in 2000 and is now known as a ‘silent distillery’. Known for its intense, sherry cask-matured drams, Karuizawa’s popularity has been growing rapidly in recent years. Demand has rocketed and the number of casks available has fallen as prices have risen, Le Clos noted.
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Before its closure 17 years ago, Karuizawa produced world-class malt whisky for around 50 years. It imported a special barley called Golden Promise from Scotland and aged its whisky in Spanish sherry casks. The whiskies were known for their floral scent and maturity, and were produced in small batches.
Karuizawa’s whiskies are said to be the closest to the Scottish malt style in Japan, while retaining their own unique character. The water used to make them was filtered through lava, and the distillery’s hot summers and cold winters resulted in a distinctive maturation profile.
