Christie’s auctions ‘last two’ Karuizawa casks
Auction house Christie’s London is selling two casks of Karuizawa whisky, which are believed to be the last from the now-closed Japanese distillery to ever be available on the market.
The two rare casks, numbers 6195 and 888, come from a private collection of Sukhinder Singh, co-founder of Speciality Drinks and The Whisky Exchange, and the founder of Elixir Distillers.
The ‘Final Chapter’ single-owner auction opens on 10 March 2026 at 2pm (GMT).
Adam Bilbey, global head of wine and spirits at Christie’s, said of the lots’ significance: “Karuizawa is one of the most revered names in Japanese whisky, and the opportunity to offer two entire casks is truly unrivalled, with bottles alone commanding record prices and disappearing into private collections worldwide.
“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.”
Karuizawa Distillery was established in 1955 in Miyota, located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. It ceased production in 2001 and officially closed in 2011.
The distillery produced whiskies using 100% Golden Promise barley, wooden washbacks, small stills, and Sherry casks sourced from Spain.
The two casks available for sale were distilled in 1999, shortly before the distillery closed.
Both casks are currently held in bond at The Tormore Distillery in Scotland, which Elixir Distillers acquired in 2022. After the sale, the successful bidder may either continue storing the casks at Tormore or proceed with bottling them.
Singh commented: “Having been involved with Karuizawa for many years, this is a remarkable moment. I first tasted it 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. Every cask we bottled has been unique, with character and history that cannot be replicated.
“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.”
With the rise of Japanese single malts in the 2010s, whiskies from the lost distillery have become highly sought after, with bottles regularly achieving auction records.
While the distillery’s bottlings have attained a cult status among whisky enthusiasts and collectors, full casks from Karuizawa are extremely rare.
Each cask holds approximately 420 bottles of whisky in standard 700ml size. Purchasing a cask gives buyers the unique opportunity to acquire Karuizawa in its purest form, before bottling, allowing them to influence its future maturation and release.
The rare casks are said to represent not only whisky but also a significant piece of history from one of Japan’s most iconic distilleries.
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