January 2018 Auction

Karuizawa 1965 Single Sherry Cask 50 Year Old #2372​ 

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

A brand new release from La Maison Du Whisky. A 1965 vintage Karuizawa distilled in 1965 and matured in a sherry cask. 

Bottle number 51 of only 199 produced.

Karuizawa 1980 Harbour City 35 Year Old Cask #4376

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.

It is amazing that we still see single casks of Karuizawa being released, this is a 1980 vintage single cask matured for 35 years. 

One of only 212 bottles. 

Karuizawa 1968 Single Cask / Whisky Live Taipei 2012

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars

This limited release was distilled in 1968 and bottled for Whisky Live Taipei in 2012. 

One of only 168 bottles.

Bottled at cask strength.

Please note the writing on the lid of the box.

Karuizawa 1999/2000 Geisha Single Casks #6258 / #671 / #512 / #7497 / #2577 5 x 70cl

A collection of 5 bottles from Karuizawa's Single Cask Geisha Label series:

• Karuizawa 1999 Single Cask #6528 / Geisha Label
  Bottled in 2017 from a single sherry cask. 61.2%
   
• Karuizawa 1999 Single Cask #671 / Geisha Label
  Bottled in 2016 from a single sherry cask. 61.3%
   
• Karuizawa 2000 Single Cask #512 / Geisha Label
  Bottled in 2017 from a single sherry cask. 59.5%
   
• Karuizawa 2000 Single Cask #7497 / Geisha Label
  Bottled in 2016 from a single sherry cask. 61.4%
   
• Karuizawa 2000 Single Cask #2577 / Geisha Label
  Bottled in 2017 from a single sherry cask. 61%

Please note shipping will be charged for 5 bottles.

Karuizawa 1970 Single Cask #6227 / Geisha Label

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.

This limited release was distilled in 1970 and bottled in 2012

Produced from single cask No. 6227, which yielded only 433 bottles.

This is bottle #313

Bottled at cask strength.

Ardbeg 1972 Douglas Laing 29 Year Old 75cl / The Ardbeggeddon​

A sherry cask Ardbeg, distilled in 1972 and bottled in November 2001 at 29 years old by Douglas Laing.

Specially selected for the Plowed Society by The Whisky Shop to commemorate The Ardbeggeddon gathering in Las Vegas in 2002.

One of 227 bottles.

Karuizawa 1994 Single Cask #4019 & 1995 Single Cask #7891 / Geisha Label 2 x 70cl​

• Karuizawa 1994 Single Cask #4019 / Geisha Label
  A rare single cask Karuizawa bottled in 2016 at cask strength from sherry cask #4019
  Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.
  One of 85 Bottles
   
• Karuizawa 1995 Single Cask #7891 / Geisha Label
  A rare single cask Karuizawa bottled in 2016 at cask strength from sherry Cask #7891​
  Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.
  One of 89 bottles.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #164

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

An impressive new release, bottled in 2016.  Distilled in 1981 and matured exclusively in sherry butt #164.

The box represents half of a scene from The Great Battle of Yashima.

Karuizawa 31 Year Old Sherry Cask #3667 / Golden Geisha

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

The 2 highly saught after releases were available to purchase by winners of a raffle hosted by The Whisky Exchange.

Aged for 31 years in sherry cask #3667 this bottle is number 29 of 225. 

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 31 Year Old Sherry Cask #3667 / Golden Geisha

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

The 2 highly sought after releases were available to purchase by winners of a raffle hosted by The Whisky Exchange.

Aged for 31 years in sherry cask #3667 this bottle is number 132 of 225. 

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1969 Single Cask 42 Year Old #8183

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim, this one perhaps more than most!

It is amazing that whiskies such as this have been bottled in recent years given how few casks of Karuizawa are remaining. There are now not many as old as this and we doubt there will be many (if any at all) that will match this age in the future.

Distilled in December 1969 and bottled 42 years later in August 2012, this is legendary cask #8183  which oddly is a 400 litre ex-bourbon cask.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Single Cask #3620 / Samurai

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 their 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.

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt.

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

Karuizawa 1972 39 Year Old Single Cask #7038

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim.

Another cracking single cask from Karuizawa, distilled in 1972 and bottled 39 years later on the 4th October 2011. 

523 bottles were released.

Note marks on box.

Ardbeg Lord of the Isles 25 Year Old 4 x 70cl​

A highly sought after and iconic Ardbeg, released between 2002 and 2007.

Named after the 'Lord of the Isles' who ruled the Western Isles and parts of Argyll between the 12th and 15th Centuries.

The bottles in this lot all come from one single case that was delivered straight to seller from the distributor. Release L7

There will be a shipping charge for 4 bottles.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #6256 / TWE Geisha Label

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

This limited release of only 6 bottles was distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2010.

Produced from single first fill sherry cask #6256, which yielded 573 bottles.

This release was an exclusive bottling for The Whisky Exchange and features on the front label an image of a Geisha and map of Japan.

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1980 Golden Samurai

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

Distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2015, this was a dream dram at The Whisky Exchange's Whisky Show in London 2015. 

Rather than being put on general release, this was made available to attendees of the show (The Whisky Exchange is the retail arm of Speciality Drinks who are the sole distributor of Karuizawa in the UK). The attendees entered a raffle with the lucky few purchasing the bottle.

The front label depicts a Golden Samurai and the rear label tells the following tale : \"On the Nakasendo trail from Kyoto to Edo, when the shogun wielded real power in Japan, there was a place for Samurai Warriors, feudal lords and their servants to stop and take stock of their journey. A place to gather and unwind, to celebrate and steel themselves for the journey ahead. That place was Karuizawa.\"

Bottled at cask strength.

Ardbeg 1967 Signatory Vintage 30 Year Old / Dark Oloroso Cask

A legendary Ardbeg, awarded an impressive 92 points by Serge Valentin at Whisky Fun.

Distilled on the 22nd March 1967 and matured in a single dark Oloroso sherry butt #1140 for 30 years before bottling on 15th December 1997 by Signatory Vintage.

Bottle No. 320 of 536.

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask 30 Year Old #4201 / Samurai

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 their 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.

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt.

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

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Single Cask #3622 / Samurai

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 their 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.

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt.

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

Karuizawa 1979 Single Cask 35 Year Old #8187

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

This limited release was distilled in January 1979 and bottled in July 2014 after 35 years of maturation.

Produced from single ex-bourbon cask #8187.

Bottled at cask strength, exclusively for La Maison du Whisky, France.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Single Cask #7843 / Samurai

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.

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt.

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

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask 30 Year Old #7843 / Samurai

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 their 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.

Karuizawa is unique, there are so few releases in the last couple of years of this legendary malt.

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

Karuizawa 1980 Noh Cask Single Cask 32 Year Old #3565

As with many of the Karuizawa bottlings that we list in our auctions, the labels are fantastic! 

This is a single cask distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2013.

Single cask #3565 an sherry butt that yielded 335 bottles.

Karuizawa Cask Strength Selection 4 x 70cl

This cask strength series of Karuizawa was exclusively released to the Taiwanese market, this includes all four releases.

The cask strength series is a combination of sherry casks from 1999 and 2000 all bottled at 61.7%. 

Please note that there will be a shipping charge for four bottles on this lot. 

Ainslie's Kings Legend Finest Scotch Whisky 1950s

An old spring-cap bottle of Ainslie's King's Legend Blend. This is a famous blend containing high quantities of Clynelish.

This bottle has no volume or ABV measurements.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 33 Year Old #136 / Artifices Series Warren Khong #009​

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. 

This limited release was distilled in March 1981 and bottled in July 2014.

Produced from single ex-sherry cask #136, which yielded an unspecified number of bottles.

This release features the print #060: Artifices 009 by renowned artist, Warren Khong.

Bottled at cask strength.

Ardbeg 1975 Duthie for Corti 11 Year Old 75cl / US Import​

Distilled in 1975 by Ardbeg Distillery Ltd and bottled in 1986 as an 11 Year Old.

Selected by Darrell Corti especially for Corti Borthers, Sacramento.

Independently bottled Ardbegs are exceptionally rare in themselves, with this being up there as one of the rarest.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask #6207

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

This limited bottling was distilled in 1981 and bottled on 5th September 2011.

Produced from single cask #6207.

Karuizawa 1995 Noh Single Cask 13 Year Old #5007

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim. They have released almost 300 single casks which are becoming increasingly rarer and rarer as demand soars.

This series features different masks used in Noh, one of Japan's traditional performing arts. This image was created by the Kamiasobi Noh Troupe and is used to portray a female character called Kanawa who turned into a demon and tried to kill her husband after he left her for another woman.

Distilled in 1995 and bottled in 2008.

Produced from single Japanese wine cask #5007, which yielded only 246 bottles.

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1991 SMWS 22 Year Old 132.2​

Otherwise known as 'Stunning Panaorama of Exotic Fruits'.

This Karuizawa was distilled on 4th September 1999 and bottled as a 22 year old in 2013.  

A single refill ex-sherry butt yielded 355 bottles.

Jura 1965 36 Year Old

A highly sought after Isle of Jura distilled in 1965 and bottled in this stunning and unusual packaging.

Bottle number 324 of 449, bottled on 19th July 2001 from cask #590.

Signed by Michael Heads, the old distillery manager.

Karuizawa 1984 Cocktail Series Cask #7975