Le Clos lists full Karuizawa Geisha Series

A full Geisha Series collection of 29-, 30-, 31- and 50-year-old Karuizawa Japanese whiskies has gone up for sale through travel retailer Le Clos, priced at US$300,000.

The 27 expressions from the closed distillery will be showcased in a bespoke Japan-inspired display at Le Clos’ Dubai International Airport Concourse A store.

While the full Geisha series has gone up for auction before, its thought the launch marks the first time the complete range has been made available through retail channels.

The Karuizawa Distillery was mothballed 17 years ago, and is known for its ex-Sherry cask-matured whiskies that have become valuable collectors’ items.

“We are proud of our proven track record and expertise in sourcing rare and unique products and bringing these to market,” said Iain Delaney, COO at Le Clos’ parent company MMI.

“Japanese whisky is currently one of the most coveted products in the luxury drinks market, and the Geisha Series is the pinnacle of Japanese whiskies. We are truly delighted to bring this collection to our customers”.

The Karuizawa Distillery was founded in 1955 by drinks firm Daikoku-Budoshu with the ambition of creating “a proper whisky using Scotland as a template”, the brand’s former agent, Marcin Miller, told The Spirits Business last year.

In 1962 Karuizawa’s owners were absorbed into what became the Mercian Corporation but the distillery continued to produce liquid for blends until 2000, when the economic slump in Japan forced its closure.

Since then, Japanese whisky has become so popular that a number of key suppliers, including The Nikka Whisky Distilling Co in 2015, have been forced to strictly limit supplies.

Le Clos has a track record selling highly sought-after spirits. In December 2016 the retailer broke the world record for the largest ever travel retail transaction, selling an assortment of high-end Macallan single malt Scotch releases for US$500,000.