Auction website lists 100 rare Japanese whiskies

Whisky.Auction has put 100 rare Japanese whiskies up for sale in its latest online auction, including more than 30 from the closed Karuizawa distillery.

Two of the rarest bottles in the auction are Karuizawa 1981 Sakura and Karuizawa 1971 Noh 41 Year Old

Many of the lots in the auction, which launched on Sunday 24 April, are said to be from the collection of “the foremost Karuizawa collector in the world”.

The Japanese collection includes 34 bottles from the distillery, including Karuizawa 1981 Sakura – one of only 45 bottles in existence – and Karuizawa 1971 Noh 41 Year Old, which is one of just 82.

Early releases of Hanyu’s Card Series – bottled by former Hanyu president Ichiro Akuto – including Two of Hearts and Two of Diamonds are also available, along with a 1991 Hanyu expression which was bottled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Whisky Live Japan.

Whisky.Auction manager, Enrico Gaddoni, said: “This is one of the most impressive selections of Japanese whiskies that has ever come up at auction.

“In addition, we will be listing many more old and rare bottles in future auctions, making Whisky.Auction the best place for lovers of Japanese whisky.”

The auction also boasts a parcel of “rare and unique” rums, featuring bottles dating back to the 1930s and 1940s.

Highlights include a 25-year-old bottle of Wray & Nephew, bottled in 1987 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence. The expression was never released for sale, and this is the first time the bottle has ever appeared at auction.

Also listed is a Royal Navy flagon filled in 1953, and a bottle of the rare 1940s Extra Strong 90° Proof rum from Caroni, the Trinidad distillery that closed permanently in 2002.