Karuizawa Gloria Ocean Ship Whisky Sanraku (1980s) 76cl

A rare to come by early Karuizawa bottling for Sanraku Shuzo co. This is of their Gloria Blend whisky

Being a silent distillery, everything from Karuizawa is a rare collector’s whisky and the Karuizawa Story Ocean Whisky is no exception. It is said that the mist and wind near the now closed distillery furnish the best surroundings for whisky making, and if you have ever tried Karuizawa, we are sure that you would agree. This particular Gloria Sanraku Ocean Whisky release is presented in a regular bottle with a special bottle holder perfect for collectors!

Karuizawa was mothballed in 2001.

The Sanraku-Ocean company was formed in 1962 through the merger of the Sanraku Shuzo Co. and Ocean (formerly Daikoku Budoshu). The former provided the distilleries of Yamanashi and Kawasaki, while the latter brought the Karuizawa malt distillery to the table. In 1969, Yamanashi was closed and its column stills and grain whisky production moved exclusively to Kawasaki. For many years the company produced popular blended whiskies under the Ocean Whisky brand, using Kawasaki grain and Karuizawa malt, becoming the third best-selling label in Japan. Unable to compete with Suntory and Nikka however, the company closed Kawasaki in 1987, focusing on the emerging popularity of its Karuizawa single malt. The company was renamed Sanraku Inc in 1987, and again as Mercian in 1990. Following the closure of Karuizawa in 2001, they were merged with Kirin who dismantled the distillery in 2010, bringing their story to an end.

43% ABV

760ml