Luxury Whisky "Karuizawa Wise Monkeys" – Facts about the Distillery and Symbolism
1. Karuizawa – the legendary, closed distillery
Founded: in 1955 by the company Daikoku-budoshu, in the town of Karuizawa (Nagano Prefecture), at the foot of the active Mount Asama – it was the highest-altitude distillery in Japan.
Production: traditional Scottish methods were used – mashing, maturation in sherry casks (imported from Scotland and Spain), and Golden Promise malt.
Climate: pure water from Mount Asama, harsh winters and hot summers contributed to the unique, intense sherry-driven character of the whisky.
Scale: small, intended mainly for the domestic Japanese market.
Closure: distillation ended in 2000; the buildings were dismantled by 2016.
Remaining stock: according to commercial materials from Distilia/Wealth Solutions, around 300 casks of Karuizawa may still exist worldwide, most from the 1990s, and only 14 from the 1960s. This information has not been independently confirmed by auction or industry sources and should be treated as an estimate from the producer/distributor.
Why valued: rarity, unique climate and unmistakable flavour made Karuizawa an icon among collectors.
Global fame: Karuizawa whisky gained international recognition only after closure; since 2006, its distribution has been managed by Number One Drinks.
Uncertain future: it remains unknown if and when the last cask of Karuizawa will ever be bottled.
.
2. The Symbolism of the Three Wise Monkeys
The motif comes from a 17th-century carving in the Tōshō-gū temple complex in Nikkō, Japan, depicting the three monkeys in their classic arrangement.
Mizaru – covers his eyes, “See No Evil.”
Kikazaru – covers his ears, “Hear No Evil.”
Iwazaru – covers his mouth, “Speak No Evil.”
This symbol has long been understood as a universal moral and philosophical message, and in the Karuizawa edition it was transferred onto the bottle labels and medallions.
3. The Karuizawa Wise Monkeys Edition
Vintage: 1999–2000
Bottling date: 27 April 2020
Alcohol content:
Mizaru – 60.7%
Kikazaru – 60.8%
Iwazaru – 60.9%
Volume: 3 × 700 ml (total 2.1 liters)
Limitation: only 35 sets of each of the three versions (a total of 105 bottles), confirming the extreme rarity of this series
Packaging: heavy WS bottles decorated with paint and a medallion featuring the monkeys, presented in an elegant wooden case. The set weighs approx. 10 kg.
Summary
Karuizawa Wise Monkeys is one of the most collectible and unique whisky editions in the world. The combination of the closed distillery’s legend, the rarity (35 sets), and the symbolism of the “Three Wise Monkeys” makes the prices truly impressive. In April 2024, a set was sold at Whisky Auction for £7,000 (approx. €8,262). The WeWhisky service reported a price of £11,000 reached in 2023, although this figure has not been independently confirmed. This shows how history, culture, and strict limitation create value in the luxury spirits market.
