Karuizawa 12, Blend of 31 to 12 Year Whiskies, 40% abv.

Says it won IWSC Gold on the label. In my last post I offered a semi-summary of the complicated history of what is currently known as Karuizawa, all from online research, bartender information, and a little bit of logic, in hopes of shedding some light on these older Karuizawa bottles. What makes it a little interesting is the "age statement" and the indication of an award. The age statement is perhaps a little pre-Compass Box, but I'm not sure (CB was founded in 2000?). Additionally printing the award on the label is quite against Asian culture, where attention is not welcome. Funny thing is, it seemed like Karuizawa labeled the bottle in semi-accordance with Scotch regulations, even though there were no Japanese malt regulations at that time.... and now. Perhaps for export purposes? Was Mercian really exporting their whisky products to the UK back in the 1960-2000's? If so, I find it a little funny. Back in the 70-90's when bourbon was in a recession, Japan significantly supported the US bourbon industry and several of those beneficiaries have become bigger players; resulting in what I more commonly know as the premium bourbon group. But when the Japanese whisky industry was in trouble, no one seemed to help them, sans whoever was importing Mercian Ocean and their ilk... the result, Suntory Owner's Casks and Malt Dream Casks.

Nose: plums, sour green apples, cherry flavored cough syrup, some wood polish. Some water brings out vanilla initially (disappears quickly), grass, more mellow.

Palate: slight wood, light amount of fruits, back palate is hot, sour, some old wet steamed lotus leaves. Adding some water brings out the old wet steamed lotus leaves and intensifies the heat.

Finish: short to medium, apple juice tongue coat, plums. Adding water makes it more hot, lengthens the finish.

Very similar to the previous Mercian Karuizawa 15 with just a few tweaks here and there, but the same profile of plums and cherries. Similarly plain, but obviously better than the Karuizawa 12 I just had. Water does change it though.

Grade: C+

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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