August 2016 Auction

Karuizawa Samurai Collection 10 x 70cl

Karuizawa distillery was the smallest distillery in Japan. The distillery was established in 1955  on the slopes of Mount Asama, an active volcano. Karuizawa was mothballed in 2000 and the remaining stocks were thankfully ‘saved’ by Ichiro Akuto.   

Karuizwa’s style was that of a certain Speyside whisky, they almost exclusively used Golden Promise barley imported from Scotland and primarily matured whisky in sherry casks imported from Spain. The key to Karuizawa’s success was the hidden earthiness and peatiness that gave many of their legendary single cask bottlings it’s unique character.

The water source used in production has flowed through the volcanic lava rock and soil that surround the distillery, giving it a unique mineral quality. This high quality led Karuizawa to be the first whisky exported out of Japan but ultimately led to their downfall, as both Japan and the world were not ready to accept such a high quality spirit which was not produced in Scotland. As a result, the distillery was not financially viable, which resulted in a great loss for whisky drinkers but produced an interesting rarity for whisky collectors.

This is the complete Samurai range, an excellently presented collection of 1984 vintage 30 year olds in crafted wooden boxes. Perhaps the most prestigious collection in the whisky world. 

Karuizawa Single Cask #4201 / Samurai. Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 358 bottles at 58%.

Karuizawa Single Cask #7857 / Samurai.Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 508 bottles at 57.4%.

Karuizawa Single Cask #7843 / Samurai. Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 458 bottles at 58.3%

Karuizawa Single Cask #7963 / Samurai. Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 437 bottles at 58.1%.

Karuizawa Single Cask #3622 / Samurai. Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 332 bottles at 61.1%.

Karuizawa Single Cask #3620 / Samurai Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 280 bottles at 60.2%

Karuizawa Single Cask #6432 / Samurai. Distilled 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 404 bottles at 63.2%.

Karuizawa Single Cask #3139 / Samurai. Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 494 bottles at 55.4%

Karuizawa Single Cask #3656 / Samurai. Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 260  bottles at 60.8%

Karuizawa Single Cask #8354 / Samurai. Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 175 bottles at 53.3%

Please note there will be a shipping charge for 10 bottles. 

Karuizawa 1980 Single Cask #8317 and Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #6355

2 of the 3 bottles that make up a set of Karuizawa which feature Samurai on the label and box.

• Karuizawa 1980 Cask #8317. One of 257 Bottles. 56.3%
• Karuizawa 1981 Cask #6355. One of 257 Bottles. 59.8%

Please note shipping charge for two bottles.

Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore 42 Year Old 

Arguably the most famous of all Bowmore's, one of the most collectible and most memorable whiskies on the market.  The Black Bowmore is an icon of whisky collecting, whisky drinking and whisky investing!

This is the first of the more recent releases from this famous Bowmore vintage, officially released in 2007 at 42 years of age in an impressive wooden presentation case.

The Black Bowmore was followed by the slightly older, Gold and White Bowmore's.

Bottle number 532 of 827. 

Please note there is a magnet missing from the door and there are Russian tax stickers. 

Laphroaig 1960 Vintage Reserve 40 Year Old

A vintage release of Laphroaig distilled in 1960 and bottled as a 40 year old. Laphroaig this age is incredibly rare!

Distilled in 1960 and presented with a certificate from distillery manager Iain Henderson, the casks were matured for 40 years in warehouse #1. This is the first release from Oddbins and the far more limited of the two. 

This is bottle 129 of 300. 

Please note general condition. 

Springbank 50 Year Old

An incredible Springbank which we believe to be from the same iconic vintage as the Campbeltown 1919. Matured for 50 years and bottled in 1969.

Springbank is one of Scotland's many distilleries to be legitimately founded on the site of an illicit still. In 1837 the distillery was bought by the Mitchell family making this the longest family owned distillery in Scotland.  Springbank was one of the few distilleries to make it through the Campbeltown crash, caused by the prohibition and the great depression.Although the distillery was closed for seven years it managed to reopen. This has widely been attributed to the distillery focusing on quality not quantity. Now one of the last three distilleries in the region.

Never chill filtering or adding artificial colour, Springbanks continued passion for traditional whisky production is still evident. Springbank malt their own barley and bottle their own final product. The entire process is completed on one location (no other distillery can testify to that). This is a fantastic whisky from a fantastic distillery. 

There are no markings for volume or strength. 

Please note condition of lot as shown, including marks on front of label and tax seal.

Karuizawa 1974 The Gold Geisha 40 Year Old Cask # 3626

We love receiving new and exciting bottles of Karuizawa, this one is heads and tails above the rest in many ways.  

Aged for an impressive 40 years, the 'Gold Geisha' bottling was distilled in 1974 and bottled in 2014, presented in a beautiful hard wooden lockable case.

This stunning whisky is the last cask from the 1974 vintage of Karuizawa, cask #3626 which yielded only 392 bottles.

Bowmore 1964 Bourbon Cask 38 Year Old

Distilled on the 11th of November 1964, this hails from the era of epic Bowmores. 

Matured in a Bourbon cask for 38 years this bottle has been presented in a lockable wooden box.

Bottle number 173 of 300 Bottles.

Karuizawa 1968 Single Cask #6955 / Whisky Live Taipei 2010

Distilled in 1968 in the now long closed Japanese distillery of Karuizawa, this single cask was bottled in 2010. 

Matured in a sherry butt this is an older single cask release exclusivley for Whisky Live Taipei 2010. 

Bottle number 123 of 428. 

Please note condition of the box.

Nikka 40 Year Old

This is Nikka's oldest stock including 1945 Yoichi and 1969 Miyagikyo. With over 65% malt content this is Nikka's ultimate premium product. 

Presented in a crafted wooden box with a branded glass. 

One of only 700 bottles. 

Please note condition of this lot.

Macallan Cask 888

Limited to a very exclusive 720 bottles, the exclusive Cask 888 was bottled from a single sherry-seasoned cask on the 8th August 2008 (08.08.08).  To continue with the theme of this bottle the strength is 48.8%.

The decanter has been created by the cosmetic glass manufacturer Stolzle Flaconnag. For its part, Lalique displayed its latest collection, Le Noir Crystal especially for the launch of Cask 888.

Bottle Number 196.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #3139 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

This is one of three Karuizawa single casks all branded under the Samaurai range available in this auction.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 494 bottles.

Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac Tres Vieille 1960s

Remy Martin is perhaps the most well known of all Cognac producers and has established a reputation for quality that very few others can relate to.

This is a spectacular 1960s example of the Louis XIII Tres Vieille Cognac Baccarat decanter which holds Grande Champagne cognac aged between 40 and 100 years.

Please note that this item is very old and hence very fragile. Lot is sold as photographed. There are no visible measurements on this bottle.

Macallan Cask 888

Limited to a very exclusive 720 bottles, the exclusive Cask 888 was bottled from a single sherry-seasoned cask on the 8th August 2008 (08.08.08).  To continue with the theme of this bottle, the strength is 48.8%.

The decanter has been created by the cosmetic glass manufacturer Stolzle Flaconnag. For its part, Lalique displayed its latest collection, Le Noir Crystal especially for the launch of Cask 888.

Bottle Number 348.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #3620 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

This is one of three Karuizawa single casks all branded under the Samaurai range available in this auction.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 280 bottles.

Karuizawa 1991 Geisha Single Cask #259 / One of 85 Bottles 

A new single cask release from Karuizawa distilled in 1991 and matured in single sherry butt before being bottled in 2016

This is one of 85 bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #3622 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 332 bottles.

Taketsuru 35 Year Old Pure Malt

A very rare bottling of Taketsuru released in 2008, At 35 years this is the oldest Taketsuru and this blended malt contains casks from Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries, the oldest available stock from both distilleries.

It is extremely limited and only 1000 bottles were available only in Japan. 

Karuizawa 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #6432 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

Distilled arounf 1984 or 1985 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 404 bottles.

Karuizawa 30 Year Old Single Cask #3619

This is a single cask 30 year old Karuizawa bottled for Kinlonz Culture of Hong Kong. 

Matured in sherry cask #3619. 

One of 282 bottles. 

Macallan 1964 

A bottle of Macallan distilled in 1964 and then bottled in 1982. 

Please note the general condition. 

Macallan 18 Year Old 1965 

18 year old Macallan distilled in 1965. Bottled 1984.

Please note condition of lot as shown including damaged box.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #4201 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 358 bottles.

Karuizawa 1987 Single Cask #2031 

A single cask Kuruizawa distilled in 1987 and bottled in 2014 after being matured in a sherry butt. 

1 of 83 bottles. 

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #7857 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

This is one of three Karuizawa single casks all branded under the Samaurai range available in this auction.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 508 bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #7963 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

This is one of three Karuizawa single casks all branded under the Samaurai range available in this auction.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2014, limited to only 437 bottles.

Karuizawa 1975 35 Year Old Single Cask #6736

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.  This particular Karuizawa was distilled in 1975 and bottled on the 14^th June 2010 for Whisky Live Paris 2010.

This is a single cask release from a sherry butt.

Please be aware of the condition of the box. 

Macallan 1955 Over 15 Year Old / Campbell, Hope and King

Imported by Italian Importer Rinaldi, this Macallan was the one to look out before Macallan started their now famous \"18 Year Old\" range.

Bottled by Campbell, Hope and King.

It is believed to have been bottled between 1971/1973 making it 16/18 Year Old.

Ardbeg 1976 Single Cask #2390 Feis Ile 2002

A Single sherry butt #2390 was filled on 24^th November 1976 and matured for 25 years prior to bottling on 27^th April 2002 for the Feis Ile. Only available at Ardbeg Distillery, 494 bottles of this Ardbeg were filled. This is bottle 427 of 494.

The Ardberg Distillery lies on the most Southernly part of Islay and on the rugged shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Ardberg is revered around the world as the peatiest, smokiest, most complex whisky of them all. Yet it does not flaunt the peat: rather the peat gives way to the malt, the natural sweetness of which subtly intrudes, producing perfect balance. 

This unique malt whisky from Ardberg Distillery, is a single malt from a single cask, which has been taken straight from the wood and hand-bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Cask Single Cask #7843 / Samurai

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt which just goes to show how scarce and exclusive these single cask offerings are.

This is one of three Karuizawa single casks all branded under the Samaurai range available in this auction.

Distilled in 1984 and matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 458 bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask #2961 

From this incredibly popular lost Japanese distillery, which has produced so many internationally acclaimed malts.

Distilled in 1984 and bottled exclusivley for Japan in 2012. 

One of 350 bottles.

Macallan 1968 18 Year Old

An excellent condition bottle of Macallan 1968, 18 year old bottled in 1987.

75cl

Please note condition of the box.

The Last Drop 50 Year Old Blend

An amazong blend, not only because the whisky is 50 years old but because it contains over 82 whiskies originally many from now closed distilleries.The whiskies were married at birth, blended at birth - something rarely seen these days which means that for 50 years the flavours have been harmonising and interacting with each other.  Only three casks of the original blend remained (hence the last drop name), the majority of this was sold as a 12 year old years ago.

Bottled by hand and sealed with wax, the bottle of The Last Drop 50 Year Old nestles in a luxurious red leather case, along with a 50 ml miniature, so that owners can taste this magnificent liquid before deciding to open the bottle.

You will also find within the box, a 'secret drawer' containing a signed and numbered leather-bound book, certifying your bottle of The Last Drop 50 Year Old, and with room for your own tasting notes as you explore this extraordinary blend