No need to introduce Karuizawa after the recent Malt Maniacs Awards. There were two of them and both obtained a medal. A few weeks ago, our Belgian bottler Daily Dram released its own Wait La Mazurka, a 31 year-old Karuizawa 1977 vintage. I was told this cask was selected in an impromptu tasting session in the back seat of a London cab…

Karuizawa ‘Wait La Mazurka’ 31 yo 1977
(62,7%, Daily Dram 2009, cask 6994, 200 btl)

Nose: sherry in overdrive. Starting on matchsticks (don’t worry, no sulphur involved) and barbecued meat, quickly overpowered by lots of dried fruits (figs, apricots) and coated with honey. Very beautiful. Reminds me of my grandmother’s red mirabelles on syrup. Some cinnamon and dark chocolate. Hints of pipe tobacco and delicate whiffs of roasted nuts. Delicious. Slightly mentholated. Hints of dill. Old leather! There’s a dusty side to it, but that’s just great, it adds to the complexity. The sherry is all over the place, but it’s absolutely high-class. Damn good! Mouth: quite strong without water of course. Very rich and fruity. Big notes of coffee and cherries. With water: roasted nuts, wonderful chocolate. Dry walnuts, plum jam again. Delicate hints of mint. Finish: long, slightly drying, on smoked almonds and still that beautiful sherried chocolate.

This Wait La Mazurka is one of the best Daily Dram bottlings ever and it confirms the qualities of Karuizawa (my favourite Japanese distillery). An instant collectors item. A nose to die for and a great palate. It deserves its place in the wonderful 1967 / 1971 / 1972 line-up.

Score: 91/100

One small remark: Karuizawa is usually too hot to be had neat, even at 30 years old it anaesthetises your tongue. I think that’s a downside, because you need to find the balance with water yourself which is difficult sometimes and changes the experience. I prefer cask strength bottlings under 60% that are perfect as they are, but hey, now we’re really nitpicking!