Karuizawa 36 Views of Tokaido Kanaya No Fuji 1999-2000 Cask Strength Japanese Single Malt Whiskey

Some bottles feel rare; this one feels irreplaceable. Karuizawa 36 Views of Tokaido Kanaya No Fuji is a cask strength single malt Japanese whisky from the legendary, long-closed Karuizawa Distillery, distilled across the final 1999–2000 vintages and bottled from sherry casks at natural strength.

Part of the “36 Views of Mount Fuji” series created for La Maison du Whisky, it marries art and spirit: the label reproduces Hokusai’s Kanaya No Fuji print, while the liquid inside shows just how intense late-era Karuizawa can be.

Cask strength, sherry-soaked and fiercely collectible. On paper, the stats already intrigue: 59.6% ABV, single malt, single sherry cask stock, 700ml, drawn from the distillery’s twilight years.

In the glass, those numbers turn into an almost cinematic experience. The core profile leans heavily into red berries, gentle spice, rich oak and Christmas cake, all laced with vanilla and dark sweetness from the sherry wood. One sip, and it feels like someone distilled winter fruitcake, antique wood, and a dimly lit bar into a single, dense moment.

This is not a casual pour. At nearly 120 proof, the whisky arrives powerful yet surprisingly composed, its sherry cask richness carrying dense fruit, chocolate, spice, and polished oak rather than raw heat. A splash of water opens it up slowly, teasing out more vanilla, roasted nuts, and smoke-dusted wood while keeping the structure taut. You taste both the distillery’s volcanic Highland terroir and the hush of a dead-still rickhouse.

It is, quite frankly, a piece of drinkable history. The 36 Views series captures Karuizawa’s final chapter, and Kanaya No Fuji stands as one of its most evocative scenes, combining iconic ukiyo-e art with late-era sherry cask intensity.

Enjoy it neat in a tulip or Glencairn, perhaps with a single drop of water, and take your time; this is a bottle that rewards silence, patience, and perhaps a hint of reverence.

Nose: The nose opens with red berries, stewed plum, and dried cherry wrapped in rich sherry sweetness. Behind that, Christmas cake, roasted nuts, and polished oak mingle with baking spice, cocoa, and a faint wisp of incense smoke. Everything smells deep, autumnal, and quietly luxurious.

Palate: First sip is thick and assertive, layering dark fruit compote, caramel, and maple syrup over concentrated malt sweetness. Sherry cask richness brings chocolate, espresso, clove, and cinnamon, while dried orange peel and black tea keep the profile taut and energetic. The texture feels almost oil-rich. A drop of water teases out marzipan, toasted almond, and smoke-dusted oak.

Finish: The finish lingers long, slowly fading through notes of oak spice, dark chocolate, and dried fruit. Notes of cigar box, leather, black tea, and gentle ash linger on the tongue. The afterglow feels almost endless. Eventually, only echoes of sherry, spice, and quiet campfire smoke remain.

Bold, sherry-soaked whisky like this pairs equally well with intense food. Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with rosemary, garlic, and crispy edges locks perfectly onto the dark fruit and herb notes. Charcoal-grilled Wagyu or ribeye, salted, echoes the smoke, caramelised fat, and spice without drowning the whisky’s detail. For a Japanese angle, try yakitori glazed in sweet soy, miso-marinated black cod, or shiitake skewers brushed with sesame oil.

Salinity, umami, and gentle char frame the sweetness and oak, making each sip feel brighter and more focused. On a cheese board, reach for aged Gouda, nutty comté, or blue cheese alongside toasted almonds and figs. Their salt and richness amplify the sherry, chocolate, and nut notes in almost theatrical fashion. Cheese and whisky make thrilling partners.

Dessert can be wonderfully simple. Think of dark chocolate with sea salt, prune tart, or Christmas pudding to mirror the whisky’s berries, cake spice, and lingering oak notes. Each bite pulls forward a different thread of fruit, cocoa, or spice, turning a small pour into a slow, indulgent ritual.