Karuizawa 36 Views of Mount Fuji 19th Release Single Malt

Technical Details

The Distillery

Karuizawa

Karuizawa distillery was founded in 1955 by the Mercian Corporation at the foot of Mount Asama in Nagano Prefecture, Japan — one of the country’s highest-altitude distilling sites. The cool mountain climate and exceptionally pure water source contributed to a distinctly concentrated, aromatic spirit. Karuizawa quickly gained a reputation for its heavy use of Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks, which imparted the deep, almost vinous richness now considered the hallmark of the house style. Production ceased in 2000 and the distillery was permanently closed and dismantled by 2011, making it one of Japan’s most celebrated ghost distilleries. Its remaining stocks, fiercely limited and increasingly rare, are regarded by collectors worldwide as among the most prized expressions of Japanese single malt whisky ever produced.

This Expression

The Fugaku Sanjurokkei — meaning ’36 Views of Mount Fuji’ in Japanese — is a prestigious series of distillery bottlings released by Number One Drinks, drawing inspiration from Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic woodblock print series. Each release in the collection presents a different cask or vintage selection, celebrating the breadth of Karuizawa’s remaining stocks. The 19th Release continues this tradition, offering a window into the distillery’s legacy through carefully selected, ex-Sherry-matured spirit bottled at cask strength. The series is among the most sought-after Karuizawa bottlings globally, with each successive release adding to its collectible and cultural significance.

Tasting Profile

No verified tasting notes for this exact 19th Release bottling have been located in the searched sources; the following reflects Karuizawa’s well-documented house character across the Fugaku Sanjurokkei series. In the glass, the colour is typically a deep, burnished amber tending toward mahogany. Then the unmistakable fingerprint of long Sherry cask maturation. The nose opens with waves of dried dark fruit: raisins, prunes, and candied figs layered over polished sandalwood, aged leather, and a whisper of oriental spice. A distinctive earthy, dunnage-like quality — sometimes described as rancio — adds complexity and depth. On the palate, the cask-strength delivery is powerful yet structured, with bittersweet dark chocolate, incense, liquorice. Also roasted pineapple providing textural contrast. The finish is characteristically long, warm, and resinous, with tobacco leaf, precious woods. A trailing thread of mint and camphor that lingers well after the glass is set down.

Provenance & Authentication

Wines & Spirits SA sources this bottling directly from certified and reputable suppliers with fully traceable provenance chains — a non-negotiable standard for rare Japanese whisky of this calibre. Every bottle is stored in a climate-controlled cellar in Eclepens, Switzerland, maintained at 14°C and 70% humidity to preserve condition and integrity. Given the extreme rarity and irreplaceable nature of authentic Karuizawa stocks, rigorous authentication and careful handling are applied at every stage.

Collector Context

The Fugaku Sanjurokkei series sits at the apex of the Japanese whisky collector market. With Karuizawa permanently dismantled and all remaining stocks finite, each successive release commands growing international attention at specialist auction and retail. The series’ artistic framing, limited bottle counts, and the ghost distillery provenance combine to make individual releases increasingly difficult to source on the secondary market. Documented, unbroken provenance is critical: the difference between a bottle with verified storage history and an unknown example is substantial in both market value and peace of mind for serious collectors.

Food Pairing

Serve the Karuizawa 36 Views of Mount Fuji 19th Release neat in a tulip-shaped Glencairn glass; allow five to ten minutes of rest to let the cask-strength spirit open fully. A pairing of aged Comté or dark 85% cacao chocolate allows the whisky’s Sherry-driven fruit and resinous wood notes to shine without competition.