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Jeroen Koetsier

*** For EU buyers the bottle will be hand-delivered ***

Karuizawa 1960/2013 – 52yo Single Cask #5627

A true unicorn of the whisky world, this Karuizawa 1960 52-Year-Old is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most historically important Japanese whiskies ever released. Distilled on 1 February 1960 and matured for over half a century in single Sherry Hogshead #5627, it was bottled on 1 January 2013 at 51.8% ABV — at the time becoming the oldest Japanese single malt whisky ever bottled.

Released in an astonishingly small edition of only 41 bottles, this near-mythical expression from the legendary closed Karuizawa Distillery transcends whisky itself and enters the realm of collectible art. Unveiled during the Tokyo International Bar Show and Whisky Live 2013, the release immediately achieved iconic status among collectors worldwide and remains one of the undisputed crown jewels of Karuizawa.

Each bottle has a unique handcrafted katabori netsuke carved from the oak head of cask #5627. The artistic presentation was created with extraordinary attention to detail: artisan Washi paper labels hand-painted in Japan by master calligrapher Soji Nishimoto, combined with bespoke wooden packaging inspired by traditional Japanese puzzle boxes. The inner Wenge wood case was inlaid with authentic fragments of cask #5627, while the lighter ash outer case symbolized the contrast between oak, char, and spirit.

Critic Serge Valentin awarded the whisky 93 points, praising its “astonishing complexity.” Very few enthusiasts have ever had the opportunity to taste this masterpiece, making it one of the rarest and most desirable Japanese whiskies ever created.

Specifications

Type: Single Malt Japanese Whisky
Distillery: Karuizawa
Bottler: Distillery Bottling
Series: Single Cask
Distilled: 01.02.1960
Bottled: 01.01.2013
Age: 52 years
Cask Type: Sherry Hogshead
Cask Number: #5627
Strength: 51.8% ABV
Size: 700 ml
Number of Bottles: 41

Presentation:
– Individually named bottles with unique carved netsuke
– Hand-painted Washi paper labels
– Traditional Japanese puzzle-box inspired packaging
– Inner Wenge wood case inlaid with original cask fragments

About the Distillery

Founded in 1955 at the foot of Mount Asama, Karuizawa became world-famous for producing intensely sherried single malts inspired by traditional Scottish whisky-making methods. After its closure in 2000, the remaining casks became some of the most collectible whiskies ever released. Expressions such as the 1960 #5627, alongside legendary bottlings like Karuizawa 1963 Single Cask #5132 and Karuizawa 1964/2012 Cask #3603, form the absolute pinnacle of collectible Japanese whisky.

Delivery

Non-EU bidders are invited to make their own pick up / shipping arrangements after the purchase. Both Distilia as the seller and Catawiki will be available for advise and support if needed. For EU buyers the bottle will be hand-delivered.

Japanese whisky - 51.8%

Karuizawa 1960 52 years old Sherry Hogshead no. 5627 - One of 41  - b. 2013  - 700ml

Whisky

Reserve price

No reserve price

Budget

From

Closing date

today

25 October

Saturday

Thursday

tomorrow

Wednesday

Friday

Tuesday

26 October

Location

Germany

Italy

Belgium

France

The Netherlands

Spain

Taiwan

Portugal

Austria

Poland

Czech Republic

Luxembourg

Hong Kong

Hungary

Slovak Republic

United States

Denmark

Sweden

Bulgaria

United Kingdom

Greece

Ireland

Japan

Switzerland

Monaco

Brand

Macallan

Jack Daniel's

Ardbeg

Bowmore

Johnnie Walker

Laphroaig

Glenfiddich

Hibiki

Springbank

Glenmorangie

Caol Ila

Lagavulin

Yamazaki

Arran

Aberlour

Glen Grant

Talisker

Kilchoman

Dalmore

Royal Salute

The Glenlivet

Bruichladdich

Suntory

Glendronach

Highland Park

Object

Single malt whisky

Scotch whisky

Japanese whisky

Bourbon whiskey

Blended whisky

Tennessee whiskey

Malt whisky

Blended malt whisky

Single grain whisky

Irish whiskey

Blended malt

Pure malt

Rye whisky

Canadian whisky

American whiskey

Whisky glass

Mirror

Sculpture

Drinking set

Liqueur

Flask

POS (point of sale advertising object)

Country of origin

Scotland

Speyside

Islay

Highlands

Campbeltown

Lowlands

Isle of Skye

Isle of Arran

Canada

Orkney

Isle of Jura

Isle of Mull

Wales

India

Netherlands

England

Bottle size

70cl

700ml

75cl

1 Litre

750ml

50cl

20cl

37.5cl

1.5 Litres

2 Litres

75.7cl

1.14 Litres

4.5 Litres

73cl

180ml

1.13 Litres

10cl

35cl

Material

Steel

Glass

Earthenware

Leather

Resin

Condition

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

As new - unused

Excellent condition

Period

1980s

1990s

1970s

2020s

2000s

2010s

1960s

2020+

1950s

1970-1980

2000-2010

1940s

Style

Contemporary

Signature

Not signed

Colour

Transparent

Silver

Black

Brown

Beige

Alcohol Percent List

45.8%

57.1%

46.3%

44.2%

43.9%

56.6%

48.5%

50.5%

47.3%

51.2%

43.3%

After 2000

1900-2000

Bottler

Signatory Vintage

Gordon & MacPhail

Nikka

Douglas Laing

The Whisky Agency

The Ultimate

Chivas Brothers

Whisky

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Karuizawa 1960 52 years old Sherry Hogshead no. 5627 - One of 41 - b. 2013 - 700ml

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