07 Jul 2010

Karuizawa 1982 for TWE

Posted by: Ruben In: * Japan

This Karuizawa 1982 fetched 89 points in the 2009 Malt Maniacs Awards – just one point short of a gold medal (and one point below the highly praised Karuizawa 1972).

It was bottled for the 10th Anniversary of The Whisky Exchange.

Karuizawa 27 yo 1982 (56,1%, OB 2009 for The Whisky Exchange 10th Anniversary, sherry cask #2748)

Nose: one of the more balanced Karuizawa without the matchstick notes that they sometimes display. Lots of spicy Christmas cake and café latte. Café noir biscuits. Some mint. Sour orange liqueur. It also shows a slightly forestial side. Mouth: pretty dense and slightly alcoholic. Notes of raisins and a little rubber. Cloves and other herbs. Slightly bitter coffee again with a bit of chocolate. Quite dry and remarkably savoury. Finish: medium length, with a perfect dryness and a faint hint of smoke.

Another excellent Karuizawa, not at all tired and very consistent. A profile that you won’t get from other distilleries. Around € 140 and still available from TWE.

Score: 90/100

Thanks for the sample swap, Johan!

Karuizawa 1982 for TWE 4 Ruben [WhiskyNotes] 2010-07-07">

Tags: 1982, 27yo, 56.1%, Japan, karuizawa, sherry cask, TWE

7 Responses to "Karuizawa 1982 for TWE"

1 | Johan Lamote

July 7th, 2010 at 11:39

You’re welcome, Ruben!

2 | Michael

July 7th, 2010 at 14:20

This is the first vintage Karuizawa, I got and I have been hunting other Karuizawa expressions since. I recently manage to find Noh 1976. I even like very simple Karuizawa Pure Malt 8YO, which I compare favourably with many younger Spyside single malts. Karuizawa has become my top “to buy” whisky.

3 | Michael

July 7th, 2010 at 18:07

Ruben, I know that we all have different preferences but I trust your judgement so could you please tell me if you would buy Karuizawa 1985 (cask #7017) or rather another bottle of Karuizawa 1982?

Thank you,

Michael

4 | Michael

July 7th, 2010 at 18:14

Ps. I live in Ontario, Canada (no private import of alcohol allowed) so I have to ship Karuizawa to an European address and pick it up when visiting. That means, one bottle at a time and I cannot make many mistakes

July 7th, 2010 at 20:01

That’s a difficult choice, Michael. I think the 1985 is a unique expression with lots of gunpowder / matchstick notes (even more so than the Noh 1976), kind of a Karuizawa on steroids. If you like the sound of that, go for it, you won’t be disappointed. On the other hand I know some people who think it’s “too much” so it’s difficult to make recommendations.

6 | Michael

July 7th, 2010 at 20:07

Thank you, Ruben. The dilemma is the result of difficulties in getting Karuizawa in North America, especially Canada.
Your notes are extremely helpful for me though!

7 | Lochside 1981 (The Whisky Exchange) | WhiskyNotes

March 9th, 2011 at 09:43

[...] 1999. In 2009/2010 they presented a series of excellent 10th Anniversary bottlings: Linkwood 1973, Karuizawa 1982, Glenglassaugh 1978, Clynelish 37 years, Longmorn 1969 and one or two others that we haven’t [...]

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