(ka-roo-ee-ZAH-wa) Karuizawa was founded in 1955 by drinks company Daikoku Budoshu near Mount Asama in Nagano, with production beginning in 1956. Built beside the company’s existing winery, it was created to make malt whisky in a more traditional Scottish style, and over time became known for small stills, wooden washbacks, water from the Asama mountain range, Golden Promise barley and a strong reliance on sherry cask maturation.