Karuizawa Geisha Label Cask 7818 63.6% 1976

Professional reviews

Words of Whisky (92)

BOW (92)

Serge Valentin (93)

Featuring the iconic ‘vintage label’ of the era, with its disarming modesty. I believe another version from the same cask was also released with the ‘Geisha’ label by Number One Drinks Company, far less, shall we say, austere. Colour: dark amber. Nose: every time we sample one of the +/-300 Karuizawa single casks—especially one without a prior formal note—it is a humbling experience. Here, it’s the massive oak that commands attention. What might be a flaw elsewhere feels sumptuous here, as it disassembles itself into multiple subcategories, which we could outline as follows: chocolate, prunes, coffee, tobacco, tar, and aged Ténarèze. With water: small hydrocarbons, oils, essences, and coal tar emerge, alongside red and brown sauces reminiscent of Asian cuisine, which we, of course, adore. A few notes of overripe, dark bananas as well. Mouth (neat): again, so much black pepper and gunpowder on the first sip might suggest a flaw, yet dried figs, dates, and an old Demerara rum character immediately transform it into splendour. You’d almost forget the 63.6% ABV. With water: boom. Pine sap, black pepper, dark tobacco, sloes, hoisin sauce, and manuka honey. Finish: similarly enduring, with just a touch of currants as a signature, plus a few drops of ultra-aged brandy de Jerez. Comments: I see no reason to assign a score different from that of the Yamazaki—and besides, that would be vulgar, would it not.