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Karuizawa
Karuizawa is one of the biggest names in Japanese whisky, primarily owing to the cult status it obtained after its closure through the release of a number of lauded bottlings by Number One Drinks after it acquired the distillery's remaining stock from Kirin Holdings in 2011. The distillery was built in 1955 by Daikoku Budoshu in order provide malt for its Ocean blends. Despite success in the 1980s, a downturn in the Japanese whisky market saw the distillery closed by the Mercian Corporation on the last day of 2000.
That distillery never re-opened and was eventually dismantled by Kirin in 2016, with its equipment sold to other distillers. However, it was announced in 2021 that a new Karuizawa distillery was to be opened by Totsuka Shuzo Co, and it commenced production in 2022 with former Mercian-era distiller, Yoshiyuki Nakazato, as the new master distiller and the man who previously held the role, Osami Uchibori, returning in an advisory capacity.
While Karuizawa had been available occasionally as a single malt since the 1970s, instances were rare due to its limited capacity and the need for its whisky for the Ocean blends. When they did appear, they were also bottled under different Ocean brand names so it was not until the late 1990s under ownership of the Mercian Corporation that the Kauizawa brand first appeared on the market.
Mercian offered Karuizawa at 8-, 10-, 12-, 15- and 17-year-old age statements until shortly after its closure when the proprietary releases were discontinued in favour of single cask bottlings. The latter were released semi-regularly until 2010 when Kirin Holdings opted to divest entirely from Karuizawa and sold the remaining stock to Number One Drinks, which subsequently continued where the previous owner had left off.
2023-present
2007-2016
2006-2007
1990-2006
1985-1990
1962-1990
1961-1962
1956-1961
1952
1955
1956
1961
1962
1976
1985
1990
2000
2006
2011
2015
2016
2020
2021
2022
Daikoku Budoshu Co set up the Shiojiri distillery in the Nagano Prefecture.
Daikoku Budoshu Co begins construction at new distillery in Karuizawa.
The company closes Shiojiri and moves its pot stills to Karuizawa.
Production begins at Karuizawa in February.
Daikoku Budoshu Co changes its name to Ocean Whisky Co.
Ocean Whisky Co merges with Sanraku Shuzo Co to form Sanraku-Ocean Co.
Sanraku-Ocean Co release Karuizawa single malt for the first time in July.
Sanraku-Ocean Co shortens its name to Sanraku Co.
Sanraku Co is renamed Mercian Corporation after its best-selling wine brand.
Distilling stops on 31st December.
Mercian Corporation becomes part of Kirin Brewery Co.
Kirin Holdings sells remaining 364 casks of Karuizawa are sold to Number One Drinks.
Distillery is stripped of its equipment which is acquired at auction by Gaiaflow Co.
Distillery buildings are dismantled.
Karuizawa distillery trademark is re-registered by Totsuka Shuzo Co via its Karuizawa Whisky Co subsidiary.
Ground is broken on construction of new Karuizawa distillery.
First spirit is distilled at new distillery in December.
Former brands
Single Malt
