Karuizawa 17 Year Old 1996 SMWS 132.4 (2013)

Karuizawa 17 Year Old 1996 SMWS 132.4 is an exceptionally rare Japanese single malt whisky from the legendary, now-closed Karuizawa Distillery. Distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2013 by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), this 17 year old expression was drawn from a single refill butt and released under the Society’s distinctive cask designation 132.4. With just 346 bottles produced, it is a highly sought-after independent bottling from one of Japan’s most celebrated lost distilleries.

Karuizawa built its reputation on richly textured, complex single malts, many of which developed remarkable depth through sherry cask maturation. This release captures the distillery’s distinctive character, combining deep sherried richness with the elegance and complexity of a mature Japanese single malt. Its refill butt maturation allows the whisky’s underlying spirit to remain expressive alongside the influence of the oak.

As a bottling from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, cask 132.4 offers a distinctive opportunity to explore Karuizawa through a single-cask release rather than a distillery bottling. With the distillery no longer producing whisky and only 346 bottles released, it is an increasingly scarce expression of Karuizawa’s legacy.

Why We Think You’ll Love It

• 17 year old Japanese single malt whisky from the legendary Karuizawa Distillery

• Distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2013

• Drawn from a single refill butt

• Independently bottled by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• Released as SMWS cask 132.4

• Exceptionally limited release of just 346 bottles

• Showcases the rich, complex character associated with mature Karuizawa whisky

• A rare bottling from one of Japan’s most renowned closed distilleries

The Karuizawa 17 Year Old 1996 SMWS 132.4 is a remarkable example of independently bottled Japanese single malt whisky, offering the depth and elegance associated with the legendary Karuizawa Distillery. Distilled in 1996, bottled in 2013 and limited to just 346 bottles, this rare single-cask release is a compelling addition for collectors and enthusiasts of Karuizawa whisky, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, rare Japanese whisky and closed distillery single malt.