Product Description

A very special final bottling of Karuizawa: the last whisky to be released by Number One Drinks Ltd, the company that introduced Karuizawa Japanese whisky to the world. It is exactly what it says on the tin: Karuizawa Once in a Lifetime.

The release has been created from some of the final casks remaining from the cult closed distillery. It opened 70 years ago in 1955, was shuttered in 2000 and was demolished in 2016. The whisky is informed by "ichi-go, ichi-e", a Japanese concept literally meaning "one time, one meeting" and focused on cherishing the uniqueness of each moment in time, as both you and the whisky will be different each time to you drink it.

Bringing together whisky from across the distillery's life, from the 1960s to the final year of production in 2000, it is a snapshot of its history. From the rich umami of older whisky to the bright fruit of the more youthful spirit, it is balanced, rich and complex. Karuizawa Once in a Lifetime is a fitting tribute to both the distillery and Number One's curation of its whiskies for more than two decades.

Style

4
Body
3
Richness
0
Smoke
3
Sweetness

Character

Leather
Maple syrup
Pastries
Fruit Cake
Honey
Crystallised ginger

Product Facts

No of Bottles
145
Country
Japan

Karuizawa Once in a Lifetime

Japanese Single Malt Whisky

70cl / 58.4%

You must be aged 18 or above to buy alcohol in the UK

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How We Pack

Eco-friendly packaging
We're proud to say the packaging we use in our warehouse is entirely plastic-free, instead making use of recycled and recyclable paper and cardboard, from our wrapping and tape to our document pouches.
Flexible delivery options
We deliver to countries all over the world. You can also select express delivery, or pick a specific delivery date, at checkout.
Packed with care
Our experienced warehouse team take great care with every order. As specialists in glass packaging they ensure that your items stay safe and secure.

Returns

30-Day returns policy

We want you to be 100% happy with your order and it is our aim to ensure that all products supplied to all customers arrive in perfect condition. You have the right to cancel your order at any time without being charged for the goods ordered within 30 days of purchasing (other than for perishable or personalised products or those products that have been specified as non-returnable).

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The misuse of alcohol can lead to immense harm and we want to make sure that the great drinks we stock are enjoyed responsibly as part of a healthy lifestyle. Learn more about responsible drinking.

Disclaimer

While we endeavour to provide full and accurate information on our website, there may be occasions where producers have updated their recipe or failed to provide full details of their ingredients and processes. This may affect factors including the product style and allergen information, and we would advise that you always check the label and not solely rely on the information presented here. If you are at all uncertain about a product then please contact our customer service team before purchase.

Tasting Notes

Dave Broom, Drinks Writer
- Colour
  The glow of highly polished mahogany.
- Nose
  You’re in a library filled with leather-bound books, then a forest after autumn. There’s woodsmoke drifting from a fire. Classical Karuizawa.
  As it opens, there’s fig, date, myrrh, hinoki, balsam while the smoke hangs over juicy fresh fruits, adding lift and energy.
- Palate
  Rich, elegant and complex. It starts quietly: dried fruit, liquorice then blackberry and the balancing bitter bite of Seville orange.
  Things become increasingly deep with woodsmoke, resin, and very old soy adding a meaty element. Towards the back there’s prune, calamus, vetiver, then a surprising burst of sweet, bright orchard fruits.
- Finish
  The finish mixes Da Hong Pao tea with roast pineapple, mango and gentle smoke. Balanced, complex, resonant. Only at the end is the full story being told.