November 2016 Auction

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. 

Karuizawa 1980 Single Cask #8317 / Only 89 Bottles

One of the three bottles which make up the iconic 1980/1981/1982 Samurai Set.

Distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2015 after maturing in a single Bourbon Cask. Cask No. / 6355

One of only 89 bottles.

Hanyu 1991 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9001 / Jack of Clubs​

A single cask #9001 Hanyu bottled within the Ichiro's Malt series of whiskies.

Distilled in 1991 and matured in a hogshead before being moved into a American oak sherry butt for a second maturation period prior to being bottled in 2006. 

Bottle 78 of 330.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 30 Year Old #4659

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

Another cracking single cask from Karuizawa, distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2012 at over 30 years old and 57.6%

One of only 171.

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9523 / Ace of Clubs​

Part of the legendary card series produced by Ichiro Akuto.  

Distilled at the lost Japanese distillery of Hanyu in 2000 and bottled in 2012 from cask #9523.

This ace Hanyu was initially matured in a traditional hogshead before a second maturation in a Mizunara puncheon.

Bottle number 363 of 503.

Karuizawa 1981 Noh Cask 31 Year Old #4676

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

It is amazing that we still see single casks of Karuizawa being released, this 1981 vintage was bottled in 2012 as a 31 year from a sherry cask.

Only 186 bottles were produced.

Karuizawa 1980 Golden Samurai

Distilled in 1980 and bottled in 2015, this was a Dream Dram at the Whisky Exchange 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 Kaurizawa.\"

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Single Cask #7963 / 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 2014, limited to only 437 bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Single Cask #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 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 358 bottles.

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

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Single Cask #7857 / 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 2014, limited to only 508 bottles.

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 30 Year Old Single Cask #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 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 358 bottles.

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Single Cask #7963 / 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 2014, limited to only 437 bottles.

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

Karuizawa 1984 30 Year Old Single Cask #7857 / 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 2014, limited to only 508 bottles.

Karuizawa 1981 31 Year Old Noh Single Cask #348

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

It is amazing that we still see single casks of Karuizawa being released, this 1981 vintage was bottled in 2013 as a 31 year from a sherry butt.

Only 207 bottles were produced.

Karuizawa 1981 31 Year Old Prendre le Rythme Single Cask #78

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

Prendre le Rythme was a single cask bottled exclusively for La Maison Du Whisky (www.whisky.fr) and was distilled in October 1981 and bottled in July 2013.

Single cask #78 yielded a shy 375 bottles.

Karuizawa 1980 Noh 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 1983 29 Year Old Noh Single Cask #5322

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

Another infamous Noh single cask from Karuizawa, distilled in 1983 and bottled 29 years later from single sherry hogshead #5322

205 bottles were released.

Please note minor crease to box. 

Hibiki 30 Year Old Aritayaki Decanter

Hibiki 30 year old is a very popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory.  This limited edition version was bottled to commemorate the first ceramics to be made in Japan.

• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2004 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2006 
• Word Whisky Awards 2007 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2007 
• Word Whisky Awards 2008 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2008 

Karuizawa 1982 Cocktail Series Single Cask #8444

A single Bourbon cask of Karuizawa 1982 selected especially by La Maison Du Whisky. There was a range of four \"cocktail\" bottlings released. 

Bottled in 2012

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 be aware of condition of the lot. 

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

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask #4021 28 Year Old

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

Distilled in 1984 and bottled from a single cask #4021 in 2012 at 64.5%

Karuizawa 1981 31 Year Old Single Cask #162

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim including the whiskies bottled within their 'Cocktail Series' sold exclusively by La Maison Du Whisky.

This Karuizawa was distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2012 from single sherry butt #162, which yielded 584.

Please note condition of this lot.

Karuizawa 1982 Noh Single Cask 29 Year Old #8529

Another new single cask Karuizawa for us, distilled in 1982 and bottled in 2012 with a fantastic label - shame we missed Halloween with this one!

Single bourbon cask #8529 yielded only 411 bottles.

Karuizawa 1981 31 Year Old Single Cask #162

Karuizawa produced outstanding whiskies, many of which have received international acclaim including the whiskies bottled within their 'Cocktail Series' and sold exclusively by La Maison Du Whisky.

This Karuizawa was distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2012 from single Sherry butt #162, which yielded 584 bottles.

Hanyu 1988 Full Proof 'Caber Tossing' Single Cask #9204

Single cask Hanyu with an interesting tale to tell. This is bottle number 49 of 204, however this cask was bottled in two halfs. So the total bottle number was 408, there is no batch number so the only way to tell the difference between the first and second batch, is the misspelling of \"Puncheon\" on the label. 

So this is from the first batch. 

Karuizawa 1999/2000 Cocktail Series Tokyo International Bar Show 2012

A combination of casks from 1999 and 2000 bottled for the International Bar Show in 2012.

The casks were finished in \"marrying\" cask 2565.

Hibiki 30 Year Old

Hibiki 30 year old is a very popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory.  Here is a hint of it's success  -

• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2004 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2006 
• Word Whisky Awards 2007 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2007 
• Word Whisky Awards 2008 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2008 

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro`s Malt Single Cask #955

A single cask Hanyu from the distillery's final year of production.

Bottled in 2015 from Cask #955 at 60%

One of 295

Chichibu 2009 Single Cask #640

This is from the relatively new Japanese distillery Chichibu.  Distilled in 2009 and matured in a single first fill bourbon barrel #640 until bottling in 2015.

This is one of only 214 bottles at 61.6%.

Please note shipping charge for two bottles.

Hibiki 30 Year Old

Hibiki 30 year old is a very popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory.  Here is a hint of it's success  -

• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2004 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2006 
• Word Whisky Awards 2007 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2007 
• Word Whisky Awards 2008 - World's Best Blended Whisky 
• International Spirits Challenge Trophy 2008