QUALITY The charm of Karuizawa Whisky
Making Karuizawa whisky
in the land of Karuizawa
In 2022, Karuizawa Whisky Co., Ltd. began producing whisky in Karuizawa, the birthplace of Japan's first single malt whisky. The company president believed strongly that, to establish a business in this region, if the whisky were to be called Karuizawa Whisky, then it should be made in the region. And to make a product that would be appreciated by local people, then the distillery had to be built in Karuizawa. Mt. Asama's crystalline waters and the cool climate of Karuizawa are the ideal environment in which to grow barley and mature whisky. In the future, we plan to use barley grown in cooperation with local agricultural cooperatives and farmers in the Saku region and elsewhere.
PROCESS How we make Karuizawa Whisky
We conduct the whole process, from malting, mashing and fermentation to distillation and maturation, at our distillery in Karuizawa.
The maturation period is ten years minimum.
The first-distilled whisky will complete its 10-year maturation in 2032.
※Once casked, the whiskey is slowly aged in a controlled warehouse.
SPECIAL Characteristics of Karuizawa Whisky
Transforming Karuizawa "time" into value
The cool climate of Karuizawa is similar to that of Scotland, the major whisky producing region, and combined with the excellent water quality and mellow grains, it creates an ideal environment for whisky production.
Water is also one of the major factors that determine the quality of whisky. Mt. Asama's water is characterized by being hard water rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Karuizawa's climate and environment transform the long maturation period into a unique value.
Blended with carefully selected malted barley
We carefully select the most full-bodied barley for malting. One ton of malt is used to make mash, and 5 kl of malt liquid can be distilled at a time.
For the time being, we use imported malt, but in a few years we aim to use malted barley from the Karuizawa area.
Lantern-shaped pot still from Forsyths, Scotland
We use Forsyths pot stills (single-column still), imported from Scotland, preferring the lantern shape, the same as those used at the former Mercian Karuizawa distillery. Capacity:First 5000ℓ / Regaining 3600ℓ
Forsyths Ltd
Founded in the 1890s in Scotland, the home of whisky making, Forsyths Ltd. is a world-renowned, long-established company whose pot stills, handmade using traditional techniques, are considered works of art.