THE LEGEND OF ASAMA
The Ultimate Tribute to Karuizawa
The History of
‘The Legend of Asama’
Karuizawa 1981
The spirit of Asama is one of ice and fire
Mount Asama in Central Honshu is Japan’s most active volcano. Permanently smoking, the last time it erupted was as recently as February 2009. At the foot of the mountain, in Nagano Province, is an elevated plateau at around 1000 metres above sea level on which stands the town of Karuizawa.
The air is fresh and cool in summer time compared with the torrid heat of the plain below and this made Karuizawa a popular resting place in times gone by for messengers and traders, samurai and officials travelling between Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto, Japan’s ancient city.
From the 1880s it became a popular resort for fashionable families including the royal family and today it remains an upmarket destination.
What makes Karuizawa whisky different?
In recent years Karuizawa whisky has become celebrated within the whisky world and highly sought-after amongst whisky collectors. The Karuizawa Distillery was based at the foot of Mount Asama and the site was perfect for whisky making – there was no shortage of snow melt and it was volcanic-rock-filtered and mineral rich. This aided fermentation and contributed to the clean, crisp flavour of the whisky. Temperate summer temperatures and cool winters were ideal for maturing the spirit.
The equipment and production regime the owners opted for was very traditional, based on long-standing Scottish practise and designed to make a rich spirit. The whisky was first aged in new oak casks, but soon re-racked into sherry or wine-seasoned casks.
What makes Karuizawa whisky different?
In recent years Karuizawa whisky has become celebrated within the whisky world and highly sought-after amongst whisky collectors. The Karuizawa Distillery was based at the foot of Mount Asama and the site was perfect for whisky making – there was no shortage of snow melt and it was volcanic-rock-filtered and mineral rich. This aided fermentation and contributed to the clean, crisp flavour of the whisky. Temperate summer temperatures and cool winters were ideal for maturing the spirit.
The equipment and production regime the owners opted for was very traditional, based on long-standing Scottish practise and designed to make a rich spirit. The whisky was first aged in new oak casks, but soon re-racked into sherry or wine-seasoned casks.
Only a tiny quantity of Karuizawa was released as a single malt during the distillery’s lifetime and almost all of that only ever released in Japan. When the Japanese economy collapsed during the 1990s, Japanese whisky distilleries began to close, Karuizawa Distillery included, sadly closing its doors in 2001: it was later demolished in 2016.
After several years of negotiation, in 2011 the remaining stock of 364 casks were sold and since have gradually been bottled and sold on – many achieving phenomenal prices at auctions. As a result, Karuizawa Whisky is now considered the rarest in the world, The Legend of Asama has been produced to celebrate two expressions from the Karuizawa Noh collection, Cask 4059 and Cask 6183.
The Noh Tradition
The bottles in which the Karuizawa single malt is presented are decorated with Noh masks – the Noh is Sino Japanese for skill, craft or talent which well describes the care with which the whisky has been made.
Noh theatre is a unique form of dance-drama performed in Japan since the 14th century. It is highly stylised and ritualistic, integrating masks, elaborate costumes, props and music with chanted drama and dance based on old traditional tales.
Carved from cypress wood, painted and lacquered; rare, precious and highly collectable, Noh masks are a fine allegory for Karuizawa malt whisky itself.
Register Interest
For further details about “The Legend of Asama” Please register your interest below.
Price on application.
Fill in the contact form or email karuizawa@legendofasama.com for further details.
Fill in the contact form or email karuizawa@legendofasama.com for further details.