Karuizawa Geisha Series: Japan’s Most Coveted Whisky Unveiled

This article traces the origins and evolution of the Geisha Series, from its early releases by Number One Drinks to the Ruby Geishas.
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Karuizawa’s Geisha Series, a collection of highly sought-after Japanese whiskies, pays homage to both the artistry of geisha and the legacy of the once-defunct but now “reopened” Karuizawa Distillery. As the demand for Japanese whisky continues to surge, these limited-edition bottlings have become increasingly valuable, and coveted by collectors and investors alike. If you are looking to purchase a stunningly elusive Kariuzawa Geisha, you are in luck. We have a Karuizawa Geisha Series 29 Year Old currently available on The Whiskey Wash Shop for a heavily discounted price of $18,580. That is more than 35% off! 

This article traces the origins and evolution of the Geisha Series, from its early releases by Number One Drinks to the Ruby Geishas launched by The Whisky Exchange. We’ll explore the inspiration behind the series, the distinctive label designs, and the escalating prices these bottles command at auction. Additionally, we’ll delve into the factors contributing to Karuizawa’s cult status and the enduring appeal of the Geisha Series as a testament to Japan’s lost distilling legend. 

Karuizawa Distillery: A Brief History

Originally established by the Daikoku Budoshu company in 1955-56, the Karuizawa Distillery was situated in the shadow of Mount Asama, an active volcano. The Karuizawa Distillery began production in 1957, initially producing malt for Daikoku Budoshu’s range of blended whiskies bottled under the name Ocean, and changing focus in 1977 when the distillery’s output became destined for both blending and single malt releases. 

By the late 1980s and 1990s, intermittent single malt bottlings were released in Japan although very little Karuizawa was exported to international markets. Karuizawa fell silent in 2001, as the distillery was closed and mothballed. 

In 2006, Karuizawa was acquired by Japan’s Kirin beverage company which went on to end any hopes of a Karuizawa revival in 2016, by ordering the distillery to be scrapped. Demolished by the 15th of March 2016, Karuizawa became Japan’s lost distillery.

The Karuizawa Distillery focused on traditional small-scale production housing four small stills and wooden washbacks, using exclusively Golden Promise barley imported from the UK (the same variety used by Macallan) for distillation, and primarily ex-sherry casks from Spain for maturation, resulting in dark and richly flavored Karuizawa whisky.

Origins of the Geisha

The foundations for the Geisha series began in 2007, when UK-based independent bottler Number One Drinks reached an agreement with Kirin to start bottling single casks of Karuizawa’s whisky for release in the European and international whisky markets. Number One Drinks released a range of single cask Karuizawa bottlings, many with labels and packaging inspired by aspects of Japanese history, folklore, and culture. 

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Amongst these releases, the Karuizawa Geisha Label bottlings featured label designs based upon traditional Japanese Uliyo-e, woodblock prints which most often depicted courtesans or geisha. Karuizawa’s Geisha Labels were released across different international markets including Europe and Asia, while Number One Drinks often bottled casks to create exclusive bottlings for independent bottlers and retailers, such as France’s La Maison du Whisky. 

In 2009, a Karuizawa 1982 Geisha Label 27 Year Old matured in a first-fill ex-sherry cask was bottled for UK retailer The Whisky Exchange, to celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary.

Amid a growing interest in Japanese whisky, Karuizawa gained international popularity prompting Kirin to sell casks from the remaining stock to an assortment of independent bottlers and investors, including Whisky Exchange co-founder Sukhinder Singh. By 2011, Kirin was focused on wine production while Karuizawa’s remaining casks were destined for blending, leading Number One Drinks to purchase Kirin’s entire Karuizawa cask inventory.  

The Whisky Exchange: Geisha Series 

The 29 Year Old Bourbon Cask Geisha.

In 2013, Sukhinder Singh approached Number One Drinks to bottle a pair of Karuizawa whiskies for The Whisky Exchange’s annual Whisky Show. Intended as the first expressions in a new series of limited edition Karuizawa whiskies exclusive to The Whisky Exchange, the bottlings were themed to celebrate the geisha, female Japanese performance artists and entertainers trained in traditional art styles of dance, music, and singing – creating the Karuizawa Geisha Series. 

The Geisha Series showcases the unique character of the Karuizawa Distillery, alongside the artistic skills and traditions of the geisha who are often misunderstood as remnants of a bygone era – and reflects how Karuizawa itself was overlooked when operational.

Widely known as ‘The First Geishas’, the two bottlings consisted of a Karuizawa 1981 31 Year Old Sherry Cask, numbering 108 bottles, and a Karuizawa 1983 30 Year Old Bourbon Cask, numbering 350 bottles. The First Geishas celebrated Karuizawa’s character and the effects of cask maturation, comparing the dark and savory flavors produced by Karuizawa’s well-known ex-sherry cask maturation, with the bourbon cask influence of oak, fruit, and toffee – a rarity as the majority of Karuizawa bourbon casks had previously been used only for blending. 

The Whisky Exchange’s creative director Raj Chavda, designed distinctive labels to highlight the skills of the geisha, integrating Japanese art forms of complex foil design and intricate embossing. One First Geisha bottling label features the geisha elegantly poised with a parasol, while on the second label, the geisha hides behind a decorative fan. The First Geishas are the only bottles in the series to depict the geishas’ full profile, future bottling label designs would only show the geisha’s face.

A second pair of Geisha releases, the Aika Geishas was launched at the Whisky Show 2014. In Japanese, Aika refers to affection and love, reflecting the growing renown and enthusiasm for Karuizawa whisky. The Aika Geishas were bottled by Number One Drinks for the Whisky Exchange, with the pair of bottlings this time a Karuizawa 29 Year Old Bourbon Cask expression, alongside a Karuizawa 30 Year Old Sherry Cask. The Aika Geisha were the first pair of Geisha Series bottlings to feature Raj Chavda’s iconic mirror image label design, with each bottle depicting a fully-fledged geisha hiding behind her fan.

It is one of these rare bottlings that we have available on The Whiskey Wash Shop. You can learn more and purchase the bottle here

Geisha Series: The Maiko’s Journey

The Geisha Series returned when the Golden Geishas were launched at the Whisky Show 2017. Bottled by Elixir Distillers from Sukhinder Singh’s inventory of Karuizawa casks, the Golden Geishas bottlings consisted of a Karuizawa 31 Year Old Sherry Cask, numbering 225 bottles, and a Karuizawa 33 Year Old Sherry Cask with only 129 bottles. 

The Golden Geishas were the first pair of Geisha Series bottlings that The Whisky Exchange would allocate for purchase by ballot. Presented in a wooden case, the Golden Geishas mirror image labels depicted a Maiko, a young geisha in training – future Geisha Series bottling labels would continue the Maiko’s journey. Raj Chavdas’s choice of golden-colored labels reflected the prestige earned by the Karuizawa Distillery.

In 2018, the Whisky Exchange released three pairs of Geisha Series bottlings, the Emerald Geishas, Murasaki (Imperial Purple) Geishas, and Pearl Geishas. The Emerald Geishas, intended to symbolize elements of eternity and vitality represent the geishas’ continuing beauty and skills, alongside the enduring popularity of Karuizawa. Considered rarer than emeralds, the Emerald Geishas paired a Karuizawa 33 Year Old Sherry Cask yielding 170 bottles, with a Karuizawa 35 Year Old Bourbon Cask which produced 265 bottles.

Designed to represent the ‘innate majesty of the geisha’, and to depict the beauty of the Maiko on her journey to becoming a geisha, the Murasaki (Imperial Purple) Geishas were a pair of extremely limited-edition sherry-matured Karuizawa whiskies. Only 60 bottles of each expression, a Karuizawa 29 Year Old Sherry Cask and 31 Year Old Sherry Cask were available, originally retailing for £6,000 a bottle. 

In comparison, the Pearl Geishas would symbolize the Maiko’s growing wisdom, represented by pairing two well-aged Geisha Series expressions, a Karuizawa 37 Year Old Sherry Cask numbering only 71 bottles, and a Karuizawa 38 Year Old Sherry Cask which yielded 172 bottles. The Pearl Geishas remain amongst the most popular Geisha Series bottlings, though there are no bottles currently available on the secondary market or at retail. 

The Penultimate Geishas 

The Ruby Geishas.

In 2020, the fifth installment in the Karuizawa Geisha Series, the Sapphire Geishas, were released in tribute to Karuizawa’s continuing legend – established in 1955, the bottlings would have also marked Karuizawa’s 65th anniversary if the distillery had remained operational. As part of the Karuizawa geisha’s journey, Raj Chavda combined sapphire blue with dragon detailing to reflect the wisdom and status the geisha acquired. 

The Sapphire Geishas release paired a Karuizawa 31 Year Old Sherry Cask which yielded 146 bottles and originally retailed for £12,500, with a Karuizawa 36 Year Old Sherry Cask which produced only 105 bottles and initially retailed for £15,000.

The Whisky Exchange launched the Geisha Series’ penultimate pairing in 2021 – the Ruby Geishas. Pairing a Karuizawa 34 Year Old Sherry Cask yielding 247 bottles, with a Karuizawa 38 Year Old Sherry Cask which produced 223 bottles, the Ruby Geishas expressions originally retailed for £18,000 and £20,000 respectively. 

For the Ruby Geishas, Raj Chadva was inspired by the ruby gemstone which represents nobility, purity, and passion, combining the color with the intricate design of the majestic crane, a bird symbolizing longevity and good fortune in Japanese culture. 

The Ruby Geishas are already amongst some of the most sought-after Karuizawa bottlings, with the Ruby Karuizawa 38 Year Old expression currently retailing for up to £35,000 on the secondary market. As anticipation regarding the ‘Final Geisha’ (possibly Diamond Geishas) bottlings increases, it is certain that expressions from the Geisha Series will be very highly sought and collectible investments of Karuizawa’s legacy.

Buy The Karuizawa Geishas

As you might have gleaned from this article, the Karuizawa Geisha Series bottlings are very expensive, rare, and sought-after. Avid collectors will have to wait until the bottlings appear on the secondary market (auction) or at retail. 

A Pearl, Emerald, and Sapphire Geisha.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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