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1 Cask (Sherry Butt) per lot
细节
Karuizawa 1999 Cask No.888
174.9 RLA 57.7% (regauged March 2025) yielding approximately 420 bottles at 57.7%
Original wood was marked as a ‘Sherry Butt’, but showed signs of wear, so the whisky was re-casked this to an ex-Ben Nevis 1st fill Sherry Butt in 2019
The buyer/s may store 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 cost. Any bespoke elements (e.g. crystal decanters and stoppers, bespoke artist labels, wooden boxes) will be at the buyer’s 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 # 888
This was also filled in 1999, originally into an ex-sherry cask which was probably a first-fill [the first time the cask had be filled with whisky], but was re-casked when it arrived in Scotland in 2019 into a multiple refill sherry butt which had formerly held Ben Nevis. This was chosen because it was a neutral vessel that would not impart additive flavour to the spirit.
The strength at time of tasting was 57.7%
Colour: Deep amber/polished mahogany.
Nose: More classical Karuizawa in terms of weight and cask activity, but also more perfumed than many. Mature aromas predominate along with fruit leather, liquorice, light soy, and as it opens a fungal element - the sweet/earthy scent of dried shiitake. There’s a suggestion of smoke which is unusual for this era, but possible. In time the meaty, slightly animalic undertow (biltong/jerky) develops. Things become more resinous with tomato leaf, chocolate, hessian, floor polish wild hedgerow fruits, and moss. These apparently contradictory aromas are typical of the distillery which rarely exhibited conventionally ‘beautiful’ notes.
Body: Thick, full, and palate-clinging, with supple tannin.
Palate: Sweet dried fruits to start, with an exotic edge, light incense and urushi lacquer. There’s more of the mushroom and none of the over-extraction seen on some single casks from this distillery). When water is added the effect is to move towards a wooded, petrichor effect. It remains on the sweet side of savoury with briar fruits (bramble, hawthorn) and hascap. The ‘Karuizawa kick’ (a combination of alcohol, acidity, and resin) adds energy and lift.
Finish; Long. Prune-like and resinous (a luthier’s workshop) and with water a hint of struck match.
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
In Christie’s sole discretion, and subject to Christie’s satisfactory pre-sale due diligence, registered bidders of high value paddles for this lot may have the option to be introduced to KANDOBLANC (https://www.kandoblanc.com) before the auction for a consultation on artistic possibilities and the bottling process. No creative work will be delivered, and no project commitments will be made during these consultations. The successful buyer will be entitled to a similar consultation after the sale, also covering artistic possibilities and the bottling process, with no creative work delivered or project commitments made. Any additional creative, design, or production services will require a separate agreement with KANDOBLANC and will be at the buyer’s sole cost. Consultations may be conducted virtually or in person, subject to KANDOBLANC’s availability.
KANDOBLANC’s consultations offer a creative pathway rooted in Japanese aesthetics and heritage craftsmanship. Through artistic direction, each cask could be transformed into a singular creation of enduring cultural significance. KANDOBLANC is a cultural Maison guided by Japanese aesthetics, collaborating with master artisans to realise one-of-a-kind creations where centuries of knowledge find new expression. Japan is the spiritual and aesthetic foundation of the Maison, a connection that informs every creation.
Dhavall Gandhi is the artistic visionary behind KANDOBLANC, recognised as one of The Walpole’s Most Influential People in British Luxury. His rare skill lies in crosscultural curation: uniting distant disciplines, materials, and traditions that, under his direction, belong seamlessly together. Prior to founding KANDOBLANC, Dhavall held positions as Whisky Maker at The Macallan and Whisky Director at The Lakes Distillery. This experience informs his sensory mastery and understanding of rare whisky as a medium of expression.
Registered high value paddle bidders/the successful buyer (as applicable) of this lot may be put in contact with the Elixir Distillers and KANDOBLANC directly concerning the organisation of the consultations detailed above. Christie’s may pass registered bidders/the successful buyer's (as applicable) personal data to the seller who undertakes to use the bidder’s/buyer's personal data only for the purposes of arranging the consultation.
The buyer/s may store 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 cost. Any bespoke elements (e.g. crystal decanters and stoppers, bespoke artist labels, wooden boxes) will be at the buyer’s expense and chargeable by Elixir Distillers, or in the event the buyer elects to work with KANDOBLANC, by KANDOBLANC.
For the avoidance of doubt, consultations provided by KANDOBLANC and/or the bottling services offered by Elixir Distillers shall each be regarded as an “experience” for the purposes of the Conditions of Sale under which this lot is sold.
1 Cask (Sherry Butt) per lot
174.9 RLA 57.7% (regauged March 2025) yielding approximately 420 bottles at 57.7%
Original wood was marked as a ‘Sherry Butt’, but showed signs of wear, so the whisky was re-casked this to an ex-Ben Nevis 1st fill Sherry Butt in 2019
The buyer/s may store 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 cost. Any bespoke elements (e.g. crystal decanters and stoppers, bespoke artist labels, wooden boxes) will be at the buyer’s 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 # 888
This was also filled in 1999, originally into an ex-sherry cask which was probably a first-fill [the first time the cask had be filled with whisky], but was re-casked when it arrived in Scotland in 2019 into a multiple refill sherry butt which had formerly held Ben Nevis. This was chosen because it was a neutral vessel that would not impart additive flavour to the spirit.
The strength at time of tasting was 57.7%
Colour: Deep amber/polished mahogany.
Nose: More classical Karuizawa in terms of weight and cask activity, but also more perfumed than many. Mature aromas predominate along with fruit leather, liquorice, light soy, and as it opens a fungal element - the sweet/earthy scent of dried shiitake. There’s a suggestion of smoke which is unusual for this era, but possible. In time the meaty, slightly animalic undertow (biltong/jerky) develops. Things become more resinous with tomato leaf, chocolate, hessian, floor polish wild hedgerow fruits, and moss. These apparently contradictory aromas are typical of the distillery which rarely exhibited conventionally ‘beautiful’ notes.
Body: Thick, full, and palate-clinging, with supple tannin.
Palate: Sweet dried fruits to start, with an exotic edge, light incense and urushi lacquer. There’s more of the mushroom and none of the over-extraction seen on some single casks from this distillery). When water is added the effect is to move towards a wooded, petrichor effect. It remains on the sweet side of savoury with briar fruits (bramble, hawthorn) and hascap. The ‘Karuizawa kick’ (a combination of alcohol, acidity, and resin) adds energy and lift.
Finish; Long. Prune-like and resinous (a luthier’s workshop) and with water a hint of struck match.
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
In Christie’s sole discretion, and subject to Christie’s satisfactory pre-sale due diligence, registered bidders of high value paddles for this lot may have the option to be introduced to KANDOBLANC (https://www.kandoblanc.com) before the auction for a consultation on artistic possibilities and the bottling process. No creative work will be delivered, and no project commitments will be made during these consultations. The successful buyer will be entitled to a similar consultation after the sale, also covering artistic possibilities and the bottling process, with no creative work delivered or project commitments made. Any additional creative, design, or production services will require a separate agreement with KANDOBLANC and will be at the buyer’s sole cost. Consultations may be conducted virtually or in person, subject to KANDOBLANC’s availability.
KANDOBLANC’s consultations offer a creative pathway rooted in Japanese aesthetics and heritage craftsmanship. Through artistic direction, each cask could be transformed into a singular creation of enduring cultural significance. KANDOBLANC is a cultural Maison guided by Japanese aesthetics, collaborating with master artisans to realise one-of-a-kind creations where centuries of knowledge find new expression. Japan is the spiritual and aesthetic foundation of the Maison, a connection that informs every creation.
Dhavall Gandhi is the artistic visionary behind KANDOBLANC, recognised as one of The Walpole’s Most Influential People in British Luxury. His rare skill lies in crosscultural curation: uniting distant disciplines, materials, and traditions that, under his direction, belong seamlessly together. Prior to founding KANDOBLANC, Dhavall held positions as Whisky Maker at The Macallan and Whisky Director at The Lakes Distillery. This experience informs his sensory mastery and understanding of rare whisky as a medium of expression.
Registered high value paddle bidders/the successful buyer (as applicable) of this lot may be put in contact with the Elixir Distillers and KANDOBLANC directly concerning the organisation of the consultations detailed above. Christie’s may pass registered bidders/the successful buyer's (as applicable) personal data to the seller who undertakes to use the bidder’s/buyer's personal data only for the purposes of arranging the consultation.
The buyer/s may store 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 cost. Any bespoke elements (e.g. crystal decanters and stoppers, bespoke artist labels, wooden boxes) will be at the buyer’s expense and chargeable by Elixir Distillers, or in the event the buyer elects to work with KANDOBLANC, by KANDOBLANC.
For the avoidance of doubt, consultations provided by KANDOBLANC and/or the bottling services offered by Elixir Distillers shall each be regarded as an “experience” for the purposes of the Conditions of Sale under which this lot is sold.
1 Cask (Sherry Butt) per lot
更多详情
To bid on this lot you will need to register for a high value paddle by contacting our Bids team at ukbids@christies.com.
拍场告示
Lots 1 and 2 are now subject to a minimum price guarantee and have been financed by a third party who may be bidding on the lot and may receive a financing fee from Christie’s. Please see conditions of sale for further information.
荣誉呈献
Adam Bilbey（貝安霖）
SVP, Global Head of Wine and Spirits