October 2018 Auction

Karuizawa 1964 Single Cask 48 Year Old #3603 / Wealth Solutions

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 on the 1st September 1964 and bottled on the 24th December 2012 after 48 years of ageing.

Produced from single sherry cask #3603, which yielded only 143 bottles. This bottle number 143.

This release was an exclusive bottling for Wealth Solutions of Poland.  The box is constructed from Polish black fossil oak.

This extremely rare 1964 single cask is arguably one of the most sought after Karuizawa whiskies ever released and is always highly contested.

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1974 Single Cask 40 Year Old #4560 / Blue 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 \"Blue Geisha\" was bottled after 40 years of maturation in a single sherry butt #4560.

One of only 192 bottles. 

Presented in a beautiful hard wooden lockable cases.

Karuizawa 1974 Single Cask 40 Year Old Cask # 3626 / Gold Geisha

A very exciting bottle of Karuizawa which is heads and tails above many of the rest.

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.

Karuizawa SMWS 132.1-6 Collection 6 x 70cl

The complete collection of the highly desirable SMWS Karuizawa bottlings:

• Karuizawa 1984 SMWS 28 Year OId 132.1 59.9%: 'Secret Moonlight Garden Dram'. Distilled on 30th August 1984 and bottled as a 28 year old, matured exclusively in a single refill ex-Sherry Butt yielded 229 bottles.
• Karuizawa 1991 SMWS 22 Year Old 132.2 62.4%: 'Stunning Panaorama of Exotic Fruits'. Distilled on 4th September 1999 and bottled as a 22 year old in 2013. A single refill ex-Sherry Butt yielded 355 bottles.
• Karuizawa 1993 SMWS 20 Year Old 132.3 61.1%: 'Dark, Mysterious and Seductive'. Distilled on 21st July 1993 and bottled as a 20 year old in 2013. A single refill ex-Sherry Butt that yielded 344 bottles.
• Karuizawa 1996 SMWS 17 Year Old 132.4 61.2%: 'Stunning Panaorama of Exotic Fruits'. Distilled on 4th September 1999 and bottled as a 17 year old in 2013. A single refill ex-Sherry Butt yielded 346 bottles.
• Karuizawa 1999 SMWS 14 Year Old 132.5 58.6%: 'Sweet and Darkly Beguiling'. Distilled on 25th June 1999 and bottled as a 14 year old in 2013. A single refill ex-Sherry Butt yielded 495 bottles.
• Karuizawa 2000 SMWS 12 Year Old 132.6 63%: 'Nite Nurse Nipped by Piranhas'. Distilled on 31st December 2000 and bottled in 2013 this 12 year old Karuizawa was matured in a refill ex-Sherry Butt yielding 553 bottles.

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

Scapa 1958 Samaroli 46% / Handwritten Labels

In the words of Emmanuel Dron, owner of the Auld Alliance - \"The 1958 Samaroli is probably the best Scapa ever bottled.\"  It's certainly one of the oldest vintages known to exist. 

Bottled in 1985, two versions were produced, one at 52% and this one at 46%. Both are exceptionally hard to find.

It is part of the Handwritten Labels series. While Samaroli was famed for his keen eye for aesthetic in designing his own labels, this series simply features his own elegant calligraphy reproduced on them.

Bottle number 137.

Johnnie Walker Swing 1956 / Opening of Hill Street Premises

A very special bottling of Johnnie Walker Swing, produced in 1956 to celebrate the opening of famous Hill Street premises in Kilmarnock, which would become home to the brand for over 50 years. Who would have thought that this bottle would last longer than the facility itself.

Named \"Swing\", as the bottle is designed to rock gently back and forth if it so desires.

Please refer to images for condition, this bottle is very old. Whisky Auctioneer Ltd cannot be held liable for any leakage or damage caused whilst this bottle is in transit, including lots sent using Risk Free Shipping.

Springbank 30 Year Old Samaroli / Cadenhead's 1979

An incredibly rare older expression from this Campbeltown classic.

Springbank of this sort of age is very rare indeed, and tend to be brought to market as limited runs such as the Millennium Collection, or through unusual bottlings such as this.

Silvano Samaroli began his career in the whisky industry as an importer in 1968, operating as the Italian agent for Speyside's Linkwood distillery. This 1979 bottling of Springbank is part of his first foray into the independent bottling scene. The series comprises another, younger Springbank, as well as a Macallan, Highland Park and Glenlivet, among others. They were bottled for him by Cadenhead's, in the classic brown dumpy glass of the era, using unique labels that Samaroli had designed himself.

This is by far the rarest of the set. The other releases in the series were limited to 360 bottles each, we would imagine this is the same. 

Bottle number 25.

Karuizawa 1967 Single Cask 45 Year Old #2725 / Aqua of Life

A spectacular Karuizawa from one of the rarest vintages, this is a 45 year old that spent it's years maturing in Sherry butt #2725

This is pretty much as good as Karuizawa gets!

Bottle number 304 of only 310 produced.

Samaroli 1948 West Indies Dark Rum

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky, but he produced some outstanding rum as well. Legend has it, this was his favourite spirit that he ever committed to a bottle!

Distilled in the Caribbean in 1948, this was impressively aged before bottling in 1991.

Bottle 737 of 800.

Springbank 1966 Sherry Cask 24 Year Old #442 / Local Barley

Springbank produced several 'Local Barley' bottlings from the mid 1960s, all of which have reached legendary status.

Distilled in January 1966 and bottled June 1990 after being matured in an oak sherry cask number #1966 442

Bottle No. 165

The particular release does not have the well known 'Local Barley' title located anywhere on the label, though is recognised as being an early part of the series. 

Karuizawa 1981 Noh Single Cask 31 Year Old #4333 / Belgium 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, Shiwa-jō, a revered elderly gentleman nearing deity status.

This limited bottling was distilled in 1981 and bottled in 2013.

Produced from single cask #4333, which yielded only 94 bottles.

This was released as an exclusive to Belgium only.

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask 30 Year Old #5347 / 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 was distilled in 1984 and bottled after 30 years of maturation.

Produced from single Sherry cask #5347.

This bottle is one of a pair which were released for The Whisky Exchange's 2014 Whisky Show; the other bottle being a single Bourbon cask #8897 which features a mirror-image label.

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 two highly sought after releases 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 17 of 225. 

Bottled at cask strength.

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 Cask Strength 1st-4th Release 4 x 70cl

This cask strength series of Karuizawa was exclusively released to the Taiwanese market. Included here are all four releases.

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

This lot has a 4 bottle shipping fee.

Karuizawa 1977 Single Cask #3584 / 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 was distilled in 1977 and bottled in 2011.

Produced from a single sherry butt, cask #3584, which yielded only 169 bottles.

Bottled at cask strength, Taiwan exclusive.

Karuizawa 35 Year Old Single Cask #7417 / Water of Life

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 35 year old was bottled in 2015.

Produced from single cask #7417, which yielded only 473 bottles.

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1981 Single Cask 35 Year Old #226 / Battle of Kawanakajima

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 #266, which yielded only 102 bottles.

Bottled at cask strength, this is part of a series of a set of two Battle of Kawanakajima releases. The Battle of Kawanakajima is a work of classical Japanese literature, and has inspired numerous artworks based around its themes, including that used on this label, by Edo era painter, Utagawa Hiroshige.

Presented in a stunning lock and key presentation box.

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.

Springbank 1969 Signatory Vintage 40 Year Old Cask Strength

This is a legendary 1960's vintage Springbank. It was distilled on 12th February 1969 and bottled independently by Signatory Vintage on 14th September 2009, as a 40 year old. Despite it's old age this whisky has an alcohol content of of 54.4% vol. Matured in single refill sherry butt #263 which has allowed some of the original distillery character to shine through with a note of subtle sweetness.

This was at one point the highest rated whisky on WhiskyBase.com, and held the position for some time.

One of 356 bottles.

Skeldon 1978 Full Proof 27 Year Old Demerara Rum

The Skeldon is a legendary bottle of rum, bottled by Velier's Luca Gargano is 2004.

The little known Skeldon plantation was located on the far east of Guyana, and this was distilled on their Coffey still in 1973. The plantation itself closed in 1960, with its barrels transferred to the now also closed Uitvlugt distillery. There is debate as to whether their Coffey still was also relocated to the Uitvlugt, or if the rum is given its name by the barrel marking SWR, which apparently stands for Skeldon William Ross, founder of the Skeldon Estate and former owner of the barrel. Either way, this occupies a fascinating corner in the history of Caribbean rum.

Following the closure of Uitvlugt in 2000, its stills and barrels were transferred to Diamond distillery. Among them were the 3 barrels that contributed to this rum. These were discovered by Gargano, and having spent an incredible 27 years maturing in tropical weather, were bottled straight away for fear of any further evaporation, or as we like to call it, Angels' Share.

This is one of just 688 bottles released in 2004.

Karuizawa 1964 Wealth Solutions 48 Year Old Miniature

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 September 1964 and bottled December 2012

Produced from single cask #3603

Bottled at cask strength for Wealth Solutions, Poland

Lot includes booklet.

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 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 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.

Cask #4201 was matured for 30 years until bottling in 2015, limited to only 358 bottles.

Springbank 1966 Samaroli 21 Year Old

A truly venerable expression from this Campbeltown classic. This was distilled in 1966 and is a vintage-mate to some of the most sought after Springbank on the market.

Bottled on behalf of Silvano Samaroli by R.W Duthie in 1987.

Samaroli is perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), he is regarded by many as a visionary. Many of his bottles now occupy deserved sports on the pantheon of whisky greats.

This is bottle 314 of 408.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Gods of Wealth Collection 5 x 1 Litre

The \"Five Gods of Wealth\" in Chinese culture represent wisdom, vision, integrity, fortune, and luck.

Each bottle in this collection depicts a different god, engraved in 18k gold.

Produced to celebrate Lunar New Year, one of only 1000 sets.

Please note there will be a shipping charge for 5 bottles.

Karuizawa 1982 Noh Single Cask 29 Year Old #8529 / 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 series features different masks used in Noh, one of Japan's traditional performing arts. This image features the mask of the Noh character, Shikami, a violently malicious spirit.

This limited release was distilled in 1982 and bottled in 2012 after 29 years of maturation.

Produced from single bourbon cask #8529, which yielded only 411 bottles.

This release was an exclusive for The Whisky Exchange.

Karuizawa 1980 Noh Cask Single Cask 32 Year Old #3565

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

This series features different masks used in Noh, one of Japan's traditional performing arts. The masks here are photographed by Shinji Aoki with the permission of the Kamiasobi troupe.

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

Cask #3565 was a sherry butt that yielded 335 bottles.

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

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.

Springbank 1964 Adelphi 32 Year Old 75cl / US Import

A 1964 vintage Springbank from independent bottlers Adelphi. This was bottled in 1996 at 32 years of age.

Adelphi has a rich history, operating as a distillery in the Gorbals district of Glasgow from 1825, producing spirit from the waters of Loch Katrine. The distillery ceased production in the early 20th century however and several change sin ownership culminating in a takeover by Distillers Company Ltd in 1902. The Adelphi name was revived in 1993 by Jamie Walker, great-grandson of former distillery owner Archibald. With a lineage of whisky expertise he operated Adelphi as private bottling company, which now in the hands of Keith Falconer and David Houston, continues the fine work he began of bottling top quality expressions from Scotland's finest distilleries. This Springbank is yet another fine example of this.

Bottled at cask strength and imported to the US market.

Karuizawa 1980 Single Cask  34 Year Old #6476 / Artifices Series #014 Warren Khong

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 March 1980 and bottled in July 2014

Produced from single cask #6476.

Selected by La Maison du Whisky, France, the label on this bottle displays artwork by Hong Kong artist Warren Khong.

Bottled at cask strength.

Karuizawa 1984 Single Cask #3663​

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 2013.

Produced from first fill sherry cask #3663.

Bottled at cask strength.