Created by Eric Huang's Hua Yang International Exhibition Co., the 36 Views of Mount Fuji collection comprises 36 releases, each pairing a different whisky from Karuizawa with a different woodblock print from Katsushika Hokusai's celebrated woodblock paintings of the same name.

Produced between 2015 and 2021, the series uses Karuizawa's 1999 and 2000 vintages, drawn from the final years of production at the silent distillery. Each expression was bottled at natural cask strength, with the 36 releases ranging from 59.2% to 61.4% ABV.

First published in the 1830s, Hokusai's Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji is one of the most recognisable bodies of work in Japanese art. Rather than depicting Mount Fuji from a single perspective, Hokusai presented the mountain across a series of different landscapes, seasons and everyday scenes.

The number 36 is considered lucky in Japan and it represents completeness. The artwork gives collectors a way to distinguish the whisky releases, and having the full collection means having every singe view of Mount Fuji from Hokusai's original iconic series. (I say original since he did later create ten more due to their popularity.)

Karuizawa was founded in 1956 near Mount Asama and became renowned for richly flavoured single malt, particularly whisky matured in sherry casks. The original distillery ceased production in 2000, and its buildings were eventually dismantled in 2016. The 1999 and 2000 vintages used for the Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji series therefore come from the very final years of the original Karuizawa distillery.

Explore the Karuizawa 36 Views of Mount Fuji Series, available at dekantā