November 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 special release from La Maison Du Whisky, this vintage Karuizawa was distilled in 1965 and matured in a sherry cask. 

This is bottle number 26 of 300 bottles.

Highland Park 50 Year Old 75cl

One of the most talked about releases of recent years, this 50 year old is the oldest whisky bottled by Highland Park.

This incredibly rare bottling of Highland Park was bottled from a combination of five refill casks from 1960.  The casks were married together to 'harmonise' their flavours before being bottled, a process Highland Park calls 'cask harmonisation.'

The bottle has been designed by New York based Jeweller Maeve Gillies, who grew up in Edinburgh.  The bottle which is created from hand-crafted sterling silver is inspired by the forces of nature and in particular the sea, using her jewellery making expertise the bottle features a metallic 'net' design, a piece of Orkney sandstone carved with the Highland Park logo and a hidden silver replica of the Rose Window from St Magnus Cathedral.  

One of only 275 bottles produced.

This is a 75cl variant.

Karuizawa 29 Year Old Sherry Cask / Murasaki 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.

One of two highly sought after 'Purple Geisha' released in 2018 by Elixir distillers. This particular single cask has been matured for over 29 years in a single sherry cask.

Bottle number 14 of only 60.

Karuizawa 1978 Single Cask 35 Year Old #8383 / Wealth Solutions

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

This is a single cask release from a single ex-bourbon cask #8383, distilled in December 1978 and bottled in July 2014.

Titled Koishikawa-Kōrakuen, this was named after am 17th century garden in the Tokyo. Work on the garden was begun by Mito Yorifusa in 1629 and was completed by his son Mito Mitsukuni. The garden was cretaed on the advice of Chinese scholar Zhu Shun Shui, and incorporates elements of Japanese and Chinese culture.

The bottle, produced by Wealth Solutions features a depiction of the garden gilded on it.

This is one of just 24 bottles.

Karuizawa 1980 Single Cask 35 Year Old #8283 / Moon Above the Sea at Daimotsu Bay

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 1980 and bottled in 2015 at an impressive 35 years old..

Produced from single bourbon cask #8283, which yielded only 401 bottles.

Bottled at cask strength, this is stunning bottling presents  Moon above the Sea at Daimotsu Bay, part of theTsukioka Honen's \" One Hundered Aspects of the Moon series on the box and label art

Presented in a stunning lock and key presentation box.

Karuizawa 35 Year Old Bourbon Cask #8518 / Emerald 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.

This is another sought after single cask release from Elixir Distillers, the bottling arm of London's The Whisky Exchange. Here's what they had to say:

\"The distinctive emerald labels combine beautiful Japanese art forms with complex hot foil and intricate embossing embellishments, giving the bottles a sculptured finish. They were designed by The Whisky Exchange’s creative director Raj Chavda, who is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Art.\"

Number 3 of only 265 bottles drawn from single Bourbon cask #8518. Released in February 2018.​

Hanyu 1991 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #371 / Five of Clubs​

A single cask Hanyu, bottled within the Ichiro's Malt 'Card' series of whiskies.

Distilled in 1991 and matured in a hogshead #371 before being moved into a Mizunara hogshead for a second maturation period. 

Bottle 30 of 372.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 35 Year Old #171 / Eight Headed Dragon

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 in 2016 at an impressive 35 years old..

Produced from single sherry cask #171, which yielded only 530 bottles.

Bottled at cask strength, this is one of several 35 year old releases depicting Japanese mythology on their labels. The Eight Headed Dragon on this label is borrowed form the cover of a popular series of stories published by Hasegawa Takejiro in the 18th century. The dragon is named Yamata no Orochi.

Presented in a stunning lock and key presentation box.

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.

This is one of two highly sought after 'Golden Geisha' releases, which were available to purchase by winners of a ballot hosted by The Whisky Exchange.

Aged for 31 years in sherry cask #3667 this bottle is number 209 of 225. 

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1981Single Cask 35 Year Old #7427 / Snow Scene

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 after 35 years in the cask.

Cask number #7427 yielded only 208 bottles.

Presented in a striking blue box which depicts The Tale of Genji in Snow Scenes by Edo era Ukiyo-e artist, Utagawa Hiroshige.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 35 Year Old #164 / The Great Battle of Yashima

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 new impressive bottling, bottled last year 2016.  Distilled in 1981 and matured exclusively in sherry butt #164.

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

Hanyu 1988 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9108 / King of Clubs​

A single cask Hanyu, distilled in 1988 and matured in a hogshead prior to being finished in an ex-Cognac cask and bottled in 2010. 

This is the King of Clubs face card in the legendary series of Playing Card bottlings by Ichiro's Malt.

Bottle number 270 of 417. 

Hanyu 1990 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9032 / Ten of Clubs​

One of Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series bottlings from the lost Hanyu distillery.

Distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2008 from single cask #9032.

Matured in a hogshead and finished in a Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt

Bottle number 296 of 576.

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9030 / Four of Diamonds

A single cask #9030 Hanyu, bottled within the Ichiro's Malt 'Card' series of whiskies.

Distilled in 2000 and matured in a hogshead before being moved into a PX sherry butt for a second maturation period. 

Bottle 467 of 546.

Karuizawa 1972 Single Cask #7038

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 1972 and bottled on 4th October 2011.

Produced from single cask #7038 and bottled at cask strength.

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #7020 / Three of Clubs

One of Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series bottlings from the lost Hanyu distillery.

Distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2009. 

Originally matured in a hogshead and then \"double new wood\" finished in two subsequent new American oak puncheons.

Bottle number 517 of 592.

Hanyu 1991 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9303 / Eight of Hearts

One of Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series bottlings from the lost Hanyu distillery.

Distilled in 1991 and bottled in 2008 from cask #9303. 

Initially matured in hogshead prior to being finished in a Spanish Oloroso sherry butt.

Bottle number 439 of 617.

Hibiki 30 Year Old / Suntory 1st Batch

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 

This elegant presentation is one of the earlier Hibiki 30 release from Suntory. The bottle is made from Kagami Crystal and is numbered 30598.

Hakushu 25 Year Old Limited Edition

The very rare Hakushu 25 Year old... Jim Murray gave it 93 out of 100 and said \"a malt which is impossible not to be blown away by.\"

This limited edition bottling is decorated with a five-cord 'Mizuhiki', which symbolises the joining of hands and hearts of the giver and recipient. 

Hanyu 1990 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9022 / Nine of Spades

Since its stills were turned off in 2000, Hanyu has become one of Japan's most sought after single malts. An economic recession at the turn of the millennium forced the distillery to shut its doors, and the remaining casks of its unblended whisky stock were purchased by Venture Whisky, a firm established by the Hanyu distillery founder's grandson, Ichiro Akuto, in 2004. In 2005 he bottled his first single casks under the Ichiro's Malt label. He later cemented his legacy with the opening of the acclaimed Chichibu distillery, but his finest achievement will surely always be considered to be the Hanyu 'Card' series. The bottles are a collection of 58 releases, each displaying one of 52 playing cards on the label, two jokers, and a second batch of follow up releases to the original 2005 Ace of Spades, Queen of Hearts, King of Diamonds, and Jack of Clubs bottlings. Each unique in its own right, every one of these have become a true collector's piece and an important moment in the history Japanese whisky.

The Nine of Spades was originally matured in a hogshead and then finished in a cream sherry butt. 

Bottle number 188 of 584. 

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%.

Hibiki 30 Year Old

A popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory. Here is a hint of its 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

This is bottle number 64552.

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #7004 / Seven of Clubs​

A single cask release from closed Japanese distillery, Hanyu. This is part of the legendary Ichiro's Malt 'Card' series.

Distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2008. 

Originally matured in a hogshead and then finished in a refill American oak Hogshead. 

Bottle number 13 of 345. 

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9020 / Six of Clubs

The Six of Clubs release within Ichiro's Malt's legendary 'Card' series: distilled in 2000, bottled in 2009 from cask #9020.

First matured in a hogshead before being re-racked into a cream sherry butt for a second maturation period.

Bottle 120 of 597. 

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #9100 / Five of Hearts​

Distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2008. 

Originally bottled in a hogshead then finished in a French oak Cognac cask. 

Bottle number 017 of 326.

Hibiki 30 Year Old / Kacho Fugetsu Limited Edition

The Kacho Fugetsu Hibiki 30 year old is at the pinnacle of the Hibiki range and a prefect example of their appreciation of the beauty of Japanese nature. The special limited release was exclusive to travel retail in 2015.

Hibiki 30 year old is a very popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory. Here is a just a snapshot of its accolades:

• 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

Hibiki 30 Year Old / Kacho Fugetsu Limited Edition

The Kacho Fugetsu Hibiki 30 year old is at the pinnacle of the Hibiki range and a prefect example of their appreciation of the beauty of Japanese nature. The special limited release was exclusive to travel retail in 2015.

Hibiki 30 year old is a very popular and stunning blend produced by Suntory. Here is a just a snapshot of its accolades:

• 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 Single Cask #8497 / TWE Exclusive

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 1982 and bottled in 2012 exclusively for The Whisky Exchange.

Produced from single first fill bourbon cask #8497.

Karuizawa 1984 Noh Single Cask 30 Year Old #2030 / Isetan Exclusive​

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 features the mask of the Noh character, Ishio-jō, a reserved and introspective old man of quiet dignity.

This limited bottling was distilled in 1984 and bottled in 2015 after 30 years of maturation.

Produced from single sherry cask #2030, which yielded only 522 bottles.

This release was an exclusive for the Japanese department store chain, Isetan.

Bottled at cask strength.

Hanyu 2000 Ichiro's Malt 'Card' #7004 / Seven of Clubs​

Distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2008. 

Originally matured in a hogshead and then finished in a refill American oak Hogshead. 

Bottle number 224 of 345. 

Highland Park 1955 Gordon MacPhail Cask Strength 

An old bottling of Highland Park from Gordon and MacPhail. 

Distilled in 1955 and bottled at cask strength in the 1980s or very early 1990s.

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask #4021 / Carpe Koi Series for TWE

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 1984 and bottled in 2012.

Produced from single first fill sherry cask #4021.

Bottled at cask strength.