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1 Cask (Sherry Butt) per lot
细节
Karuizawa 1999 Cask No.6195
180.3 RLA 61.8 (regauged March 2025) yielding approximately 420 bottles at 61.8%
In original wood marked as a ‘Sherry Butt’
The buyer/s may store the cask/s at The Tormore for up to three years from the date of the auction, until they reach 30 years of age, at no additional cost. Any storage beyond this period may be agreed with Elixir Distillers directly. The contents of the casks can be bottled under a standard private label by Elixir Distillers in the “Geisha Series” glass bottle, including glass, cork, capsule, and label design and print, at no additional costs. Any bespoke elements (e.g. crystal decanters and stoppers, bespoke artist labels, wooden boxes) will be at the buyer’s additional expense and chargeable by Elixir Distillers.
Karuizawa Cask Assessment
By Dave Broom
In 2010 when it was announced that the distillery was to be demolished, its international distributor Number One Drinks bought the remaining 364 casks.
These were transferred to the Chichibu distillery. In 2012, Number One Drinks invited three of its clients, including Elixir Distillers, to Japan to choose and purchase a selection of casks. The two casks being tasted here were part of that package.
When Chichibu required warehouse space, the Elixir casks were sent to a warehouse in Tokyo. In 2019, they were shipped to Scotland. They are now lying in Elixir’s Tormore distillery in Speyside.
Cask # 6195
This was filled in 1999. The cask is an ex-sherry butt of 500l capacity. Judging by the colour it is a refill cask [it has been filled with whisky before] and aromatically suggestive of one which is made from American oak.
The strength at time of tasting was 61.8%. Though high for a whisky of this age, this is not unusual for Karuizawa. The combination of the distillery’s high altitude and climate meant that alcoholic strength increased as the whisky matured. It is also possible that the cask was filled with undiluted new make spirit.
Colour: Light amber
Nose: Intense, with some nose burn. There is a strong identifiable distillery character on show: wild berry fruits, incense, savoury. As it opens, it becomes slightly drier and a meaty, slightly earthy bottom note develops. Once settled in the glass, more lifted, fragrant elements begin to show: pine sap, thyme, nettle with a hint of vanilla underneath. [The pine and vanilla are indications that the cask could be Q.alba] Mature, oxidized elements build when water is added. Worn leather, liqueur chocolate. It becomes increasingly scented and incense like.
Body: Thick, with heat on the sides of the tongue. Light, slightly chewy tannin.
Palate: The savoury elements are foremost. Some yellow fruits are added along with a touch of cola cubes which is not uncommon in older ex-sherry casks. The ’green’ elements re-emerge, this time pine needles, along with a hint of malt. The cask influence is low, making this a slightly unusual Karuizawa where the cereal, fruits, and a burnt citrus-like acidity are allowed to show. Water is beneficial, bringing out more oils, suggestive of both maturity and the use of Golden Promise barley. There’s an increase in nuttiness, fragrant wood, and the tartness of plum skin.
Finish: Clean and bright, albeit slightly hot. The earthiness has changed to charcoal tablets, then some bitter orange and darker fruits. It will continue to develop.
A note on Karuizawa’s ‘sherry casks’
The distillery had its own cooperage which raised, repaired, and seasoned casks. Some ex-sherry casks came from Scotland as well as direct from Spain as Karuizawa’s owner, Mercian, was Gonzalez-Byass’ agent in Japan. There were also casks seasoned on site using Mercian’s own ‘sherry’. A mix of Q.alba, Q,robur were used. It is not possible to ascertain fully which of these options are being used here.
Both casks were tasted in situ at Tormore distillery, Speyside Scotland on Thursday 4th September 2025
Dave Broom has been writing about whisky since 1988 and has specialized in spirits since 1995. He is known as a specialist on Japanese whisky, and was part of the team which assessed the Karuizawa stock when it was purchased by Number One Drinks after the distillery’s closure. He also oversaw the cask tasting in 2012 when Elixir bought the casks.
Stored in bond at The Tormore Distillery, Advie, Scotland
1 Cask (Sherry Butt) per lot
180.3 RLA 61.8 (regauged March 2025) yielding approximately 420 bottles at 61.8%
In original wood marked as a ‘Sherry Butt’
The buyer/s may store the cask/s at The Tormore for up to three years from the date of the auction, until they reach 30 years of age, at no additional cost. Any storage beyond this period may be agreed with Elixir Distillers directly. The contents of the casks can be bottled under a standard private label by Elixir Distillers in the “Geisha Series” glass bottle, including glass, cork, capsule, and label design and print, at no additional costs. Any bespoke elements (e.g. crystal decanters and stoppers, bespoke artist labels, wooden boxes) will be at the buyer’s additional expense and chargeable by Elixir Distillers.
Karuizawa Cask Assessment
By Dave Broom
In 2010 when it was announced that the distillery was to be demolished, its international distributor Number One Drinks bought the remaining 364 casks.
These were transferred to the Chichibu distillery. In 2012, Number One Drinks invited three of its clients, including Elixir Distillers, to Japan to choose and purchase a selection of casks. The two casks being tasted here were part of that package.
When Chichibu required warehouse space, the Elixir casks were sent to a warehouse in Tokyo. In 2019, they were shipped to Scotland. They are now lying in Elixir’s Tormore distillery in Speyside.
Cask # 6195
This was filled in 1999. The cask is an ex-sherry butt of 500l capacity. Judging by the colour it is a refill cask [it has been filled with whisky before] and aromatically suggestive of one which is made from American oak.
The strength at time of tasting was 61.8%. Though high for a whisky of this age, this is not unusual for Karuizawa. The combination of the distillery’s high altitude and climate meant that alcoholic strength increased as the whisky matured. It is also possible that the cask was filled with undiluted new make spirit.
Colour: Light amber
Nose: Intense, with some nose burn. There is a strong identifiable distillery character on show: wild berry fruits, incense, savoury. As it opens, it becomes slightly drier and a meaty, slightly earthy bottom note develops. Once settled in the glass, more lifted, fragrant elements begin to show: pine sap, thyme, nettle with a hint of vanilla underneath. [The pine and vanilla are indications that the cask could be Q.alba] Mature, oxidized elements build when water is added. Worn leather, liqueur chocolate. It becomes increasingly scented and incense like.
Body: Thick, with heat on the sides of the tongue. Light, slightly chewy tannin.
Palate: The savoury elements are foremost. Some yellow fruits are added along with a touch of cola cubes which is not uncommon in older ex-sherry casks. The ’green’ elements re-emerge, this time pine needles, along with a hint of malt. The cask influence is low, making this a slightly unusual Karuizawa where the cereal, fruits, and a burnt citrus-like acidity are allowed to show. Water is beneficial, bringing out more oils, suggestive of both maturity and the use of Golden Promise barley. There’s an increase in nuttiness, fragrant wood, and the tartness of plum skin.
Finish: Clean and bright, albeit slightly hot. The earthiness has changed to charcoal tablets, then some bitter orange and darker fruits. It will continue to develop.
A note on Karuizawa’s ‘sherry casks’
The distillery had its own cooperage which raised, repaired, and seasoned casks. Some ex-sherry casks came from Scotland as well as direct from Spain as Karuizawa’s owner, Mercian, was Gonzalez-Byass’ agent in Japan. There were also casks seasoned on site using Mercian’s own ‘sherry’. A mix of Q.alba, Q,robur were used. It is not possible to ascertain fully which of these options are being used here.
Both casks were tasted in situ at Tormore distillery, Speyside Scotland on Thursday 4th September 2025
Dave Broom has been writing about whisky since 1988 and has specialized in spirits since 1995. He is known as a specialist on Japanese whisky, and was part of the team which assessed the Karuizawa stock when it was purchased by Number One Drinks after the distillery’s closure. He also oversaw the cask tasting in 2012 when Elixir bought the casks.
Stored in bond at The Tormore Distillery, Advie, Scotland
1 Cask (Sherry Butt) per lot
荣誉呈献
Adam Bilbey（貝安霖）
SVP, Global Head of Wine and Spirits