Auction house Christie’s will offer two entire casks of Karuizawa Japanese whisky from the private collection of Sukhinder Singh in a live auction on March 10. The casks, identified as #6195 and #888, were both distilled in 1999 shortly before the distillery’s closure and are described as the “last casks” from Singh’s holdings.
The offering is exceptionally rare, as full casks from the legendary distillery very rarely appear on the open market.
Karuizawa was founded in 1955 and operated near Mount Asama, gaining a cult following for its rich, sherry-influenced single malts. The distillery ceased production in 2000 and was officially closed in 2011, leaving a limited supply of whisky that has become highly sought after by global collectors.
Each of the two casks for sale contains enough whisky to yield approximately 420 standard 700ml bottles. They are currently lying in bond at The Tormore Distillery in Scotland.
The successful bidder will have the option to continue maturing the casks or proceed with a bespoke bottling.
Sukhinder Singh commented, “I first tasted [Karuizawa] in 2006, and it was unlike anything I had ever experienced – rich, distinctive, and unforgettable. In 2012, I was privileged to acquire a selection of the final casks from this lost distillery, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
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He added, “Now, offering these last casks is a chance for collectors to own a piece of whisky history and to shape the final chapter of Karuizawa. Each cask is exceptional, and to hold it in its purest form, before bottling, is an extraordinary experience.”
Adam Bilbey, global head of wine and spirits at Christie’s, described the opportunity as “truly unrivaled.”
“Karuizawa is one of the most revered names in Japanese whisky, and bottles alone command record prices and disappear into private collections worldwide,” Bilbey said.
He continued, “To own a cask is to take part in the final chapter of Karuizawa’s story, with the ability to shape bottling decisions and bespoke details. Once sold, it is extremely unlikely that any further Karuizawa casks will come to market.”
Estimates for the casks are available on request from Christie’s.
