Japanese "Karuizawa·Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" Whisky
The legendary Karuizawa Distillery in Japan closed down completely in 2000, owing to its unwavering commitment to quality and its refusal to compromise on price. In the two decades since its closure, Karuizawa whisky prices have skyrocketed, and bottles are now extremely hard to come by. The "Karuizawa • Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" series, bottled at cask strength, was selected from the 1999 and 2000 distilleries, the year before the closure. This final Karuizawa series holds high collectible and artistic value, and its circulation and economic value are reflected in the seven-figure price tag. 
Produced by the Karuizawa Distillery, the "Karuizawa • Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" whisky set consists of 36 bottles, each containing 700ml and ranging in alcohol by volume from 59.2% to 61.0%. All 36 labels are labeled "Japanese Single Malt Whisky" and specifically indicate the "cask strength." The labels for "Karuizawa • Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" feature the masterpiece "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" by Hokusai Katsushika, one of the world's most widely viewed ukiyo-e masters. Ukiyo-e is a Japanese woodblock print that flourished for over 200 years during the Edo period. Known for its vibrant colors and clean lines, it depicts landscapes and daily life. "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" depicts Mount Fuji from various angles and weather conditions, offering viewers a glimpse into the local culture and people of Mount Fuji. This work has earned Hokusai worldwide acclaim and is considered a masterpiece of ukiyo-e printmaking. While tasting this whisky, someone wrote: "Opening the bottle, as the aroma spreads, the majestic Mount Fuji comes to mind. The flavor is intense on the palate, but softens and mellows on the throat, like the surging waves beneath Mount Fuji, transforming from turbulent to tranquil and vast." Hokusai's masterpiece and this whisky are a perfect match.
Founded in 1955, Karuizawa Distillery, despite its small size, maintained an extremely high standard for quality: it consistently invested heavily in importing premium golden barley and peat from Scotland, and aged its entire distillery in sherry casks. This high cost, high quality, high prices, and low production ultimately led to the distillery's demise, bringing its 45-year history to an end. The distillery's limited output, especially its older single casks, became highly sought after by collectors. All remaining casks were purchased by Spirit of Asama Limited, and subsequently released by independent bottling houses such as Number One Drinks Company, earning high industry acclaim and numerous awards. Karuizawa has defied competition to win the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) Gold Medal. In 2007 and 2008, it also won gold medals in the renowned Malt Maniacs blind tasting for its single-cask Sherry cask single malt whisky, earning it a stellar reputation across Europe. Due to its exceptional quality and irreplaceable nature, its limited stock and the fact that it is no longer in production, new Karuizawa whiskies sell out instantly upon release, sending auction prices soaring. These days, Karuizawa whiskies are rarely seen, often only occasionally seen at major auctions, and the exorbitant price tag of hundreds of thousands of yuan per bottle puts them out of reach for many whisky collectors.
Nowadays, if someone in Japan asks about Karuizawa, the first thing that comes to mind isn't whiskey, but the town of Karuizawa, located 150 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. It's this famous summer resort that gave the distillery its name, "Karuizawa." Surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation, Karuizawa, at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters, boasts a pleasant climate, luxurious villas for vacationers, and the high-quality water necessary for distilling. This location provides Karuizawa Distillery with unique conditions for producing excellent whiskey. Whisky originated in Scotland, but the Japanese have mastered it to perfection. Today, when Japanese whiskey is fully comparable to Western whiskeys, the "Japanese Whisky" phenomenon has emerged, a topic of intense discussion and discussion within the industry amidst the global popularity of whiskey.
Earlier in this article, we mentioned that "cask strength" is an intellectual concept in whiskey. Cask strength refers to whiskey that is not diluted with water or chill-filtered, and is bottled at the strength when it comes out of the barrel. It is different from whiskey that has been diluted with water or chill-filtered, and its alcohol concentration can be as high as 60%vol or higher. Compared with most whiskeys with an alcohol content of 40-46%vol, cask strength whiskey can show more of the original flavor on the taste and present a richer aroma, thus bringing a wonderful impact to the taste buds. "Cask strength" is all whiskeys of high or ultra-high age, with a unique personality, distinctive style, and rare production, making it synonymous with high-end whiskey. Why is "cask strength" whiskey so expensive? Here is the answer.
In order to illustrate the article, I had to take photos of the "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji in Karuizawa". When these 36 bottles of whiskey were arranged, they looked like soldiers lined up from a distance, and like a landscape painting from a close distance. The liquor in them recorded the rise of Japanese whiskey.
Today, the Karuizawa Distillery has been completely demolished, with even the ruins of the former site no longer visible, leaving little trace of its former glory. While the distillery is now history, the legend of Karuizawa whisky lives on. Due to its aesthetic value, collectible value, and the cultural significance it embodies, its growth in both trading and auction prices has led to it ranking first among whiskies worldwide, even rivaling and surpassing major brands like Macallan and Port Ellen, making it a new favorite among investors. It's said that a few single casks in stock will be bottled and released at an appropriate time, sparking eager anticipation among whisky lovers worldwide.
Hongkang Trading Company enthusiastically purchases the Karuizawa Thirty-Six Views series of Japanese Karuizawa whisky, providing professional and reliable recycling services for wine lovers.
The Karuizawa Thirty-Six Views series, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and unique historical background, is considered a treasure of Japanese whisky. We are fully aware of the rarity and market value of these whiskies and are willing to purchase your Karuizawa Thirty-Six Views series at the most competitive price.
Our dedicated team has extensive experience and expertise to accurately evaluate your Karuizawa Thirty-Six Views wines and offer you the best price based on market conditions. We guarantee a secure and transparent transaction process to protect your rights.
Hongkang Trading Company offers a convenient recycling service , ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable transaction experience. If you own a bottle of Karuizawa Thirty-Six Views or other rare whiskies, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to providing you with the highest quality recycling service , making the disposal of your collection a breeze.
