The Rarest Bottle of Japanese Whisky Ever to Come to Auction

Unique 52-Year-Old Karuizawa, “The Prototype,” to Headline Sotheby’s Whisky & Whiskey Sale

One of Only Two Bottles Ever Drawn and Hand-Bottled Directly from Cask #5627 Prior to Commercial Release

Estimated at $400,000–600,000, Among the Most Valuable Japanese Whiskies Ever to Come to Market

“This is one of those bottles that I have been trying for years to hunt down. It’s a career highlight for me just to come into contact with it. Karuizawa 1960 Cask #5627 represents the very pinnacle of Japanese whisky, and this particular bottle is the rarest example of what this legendary distillery ever produced. Its age, extraordinary scarcity and historical significance come together to make this the most important Japanese whisky bottle to come to market in recent years. As one of only two bottles ever hand-bottled directly from Karuizawa’s oldest cask, this represents a key moment that would change the face of Japanese whisky collecting forever.”

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Global Head of Spirits 

NEW YORK, September 2026 – A uniquely rare bottle of Karuizawa 1960 Cask #5627, known as “The Prototype,” will lead Sotheby’s Whisky & Whiskey auction on 18 September, presented as part of Sotheby’s Nightcap series at the Breuer. Estimated at $400,000–600,000, the bottle is expected to be the highest-value lot among the Nightcap offerings and represents an exceptional opportunity to acquire what is today regarded as one of the most coveted Japanese whiskies in the world.

Distilled on 1 February 1960, Cask #5627 was the oldest cask in Karuizawa’s inventory when the remaining casks were acquired following the distillery’s closure. Karuizawa ceased distilling at the end of 2000 and, following a subsequent change of ownership, the distillery itself was ultimately demolished. With no possibility of Karuizawa ever producing whisky again, the remaining casks became a finite and constantly diminishing source of one of Japan’s most sought-after whiskies.

Cask #5627 contained very little liquid when it was acquired, ultimately yielding just 41 commercially available bottles of the celebrated Karuizawa 1960 vintage. Matured for 52 years, the whisky was the oldest Japanese whisky ever bottled at the time of its release. Each bottle was labelled with traditional Japanese washi paper and individually identifiable by a carved wooden “netsuke” character.

Before this 1960 Hogshead was disgorged, however, two bottles were drawn directly from the cask and hand-filled into glass, each on a separate occasion. The bottle offered at Sotheby’s was filled on 20 December 2012, before the commercial 1960 vintage was bottled, making it one of only two bottles ever drawn and hand-bottled directly from Cask #5627 prior to its commercial release. It is therefore known as “The Prototype.”

The bottle was hand-filled by Osami Uchibori, Karuizawa’s legendary final Master Distiller, who had worked at the distillery since 1960, the year Cask #5627 was distilled. Its label was completed by hand and is accompanied by a certificate, also handwritten and signed by Uchibori, confirming that he filled this rare bottle. The Prototype liquid was drawn at a notably higher strength of 58.3% ABV, compared with the 51.8% ABV of the “standard” version of the 1960.

The cask also has a remarkable auction pedigree. In March 2020, a Karuizawa 52 Year Old Zodiac Rat Cask #5627 sold at Sotheby’s London for £363,000 (approximately US$435,273), ranking among the highest prices ever achieved at auction for a single bottle of whisky at the time and setting a record for the Karuizawa brand.

More than a decade after its release, Karuizawa 1960 Cask #5627 remains a landmark in the history of Japanese whisky. With its extraordinary age, extremely limited production, pre-release bottling and direct connection to Osami Uchibori, the bottle embodies the rarity, craftsmanship and heritage that have made Karuizawa one of the most sought-after names in collectible whisky.

About Sotheby’s

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building in New York City, featuring Marcel, 945 Madison Avenue – a new continental restaurant designed by Roman & Williams.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby’s apps for iOS and Android.

The Provenance Behind the Collection

Iron Gate Fall Fine Spirits Auction Opens September 14, 2026

Iron Gate Auctions will open its Fall Fine Spirits Auction on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EDT, presenting Canadian collectors with an exceptional selection of rare and highly collectible whiskies. The timed auction runs through Monday, September 21, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Highlights include, the famous 1975 Glenmorangie Cote de Nuits Wood Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky, silent still gems like the 1966 Gordon & MacPhail Rare Old Banff Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Eagle Rare 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 101 Proof and the vintage bottlings of Macallan 18 Year Old.

Behind every remarkable whisky collection is a story.

For many of the consignors featured in Iron Gate’s Fall Whisky Auction, collecting began not with an investment strategy, but with a genuine passion for whisky—the spirit itself, along with its history, craftsmanship, stories and the community that surrounds it. Over the years, a personal passion evolved into a significant collection.

One of the most rewarding aspects of bringing these collections to auction is discovering the stories behind them: what first sparked a collector’s interest, where their journey took them, and which bottles became particularly meaningful along the way.

Iron Gate captures that history through the Provenance section accompanying every lot, providing a glimpse into the people, places and experiences that shaped each collection.

One collection in the Fall auction is particularly Memorable

Nearly 40 years ago, a trip to Scotland for his sister’s wedding unexpectedly changed the course of one collector’s life. During a visit to a centuries-old pub, he discovered that its new owner was clearing out old inventory, offering bottles from a display high among the ceiling beams for just one pound a dram.

What followed was an extraordinary introduction to Scotch whisky. Among the bottles being served were rare expressions dating to the 1930s, including remarkable Macallan releases. Over five days, he had the opportunity to experience whiskies that would later become highly sought-after by collectors around the world. A lifelong passion was born.

When he returned to the pub several years later, those historic bottles were gone—a reminder of just how fortunate that first encounter had been.

Over the following decades, his passion grew into a collection of more than 900 predominantly unique bottles. He acquired whiskies during travels throughout Scotland, on journeys as far afield as New Zealand, through auctions, and as a member of a local whisky club, where friendships and access to exclusive and unusual releases further shaped his collecting journey.

As his palate developed, his appreciation increasingly gravitated toward the distinctive character of peated Islay whisky, with Ardbeg becoming a particular focus.

The collection eventually became part of the fabric of his home and offices—a personal shrine to decades of discovery and a tangible record of his passion for whisky. Now, after finally running out of space, he has decided that the time has come for these bottles to begin their next chapter.

For the consignor, the whisky may be moving on, but the memories remain: the travels, friendships, discoveries and experiences accumulated over a lifetime of collecting.

Every bottle has a history. Sometimes, the story behind it is as compelling as the whisky itself.

Auction Details
Event: Iron Gate Fine Spirits Auction
Start: September 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m. EDT
End: September 21, 2026, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Format: Timed online auction

Catalogue: Iron Gate Fine Whisky Auction-23465

Please note that a buyer’s premium of 19.5% applies to this sale. The auction is operated under license by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and under the applicable Alberta auction license.  Shipping is arranged across Canada using third party shipper, Calgary Shipping.  Flat rate fees for certain postal codes.

About Iron Gate

Iron Gate provides fine wine and spirits auction services for collectors across Canada, combining specialist expertise with a commitment to provenance, trusted handling, and a seamless online bidding experience.

Spirits Contact
Ajay Bhardwaj, VP Spirits Iron Gate Auctions
Email: ajay@irongate.wine

Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky (Includes Branded Glass) 18 Year Old 70cl · 43% ABV

Matured in a high proportion of first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, this superb 18 Year Old single malt pays tribute to our 5 keystones of production and presents a sophisticated medley of ripe cherries dusted with bittersweet cocoa, freshly harvested honeycomb and candied orange peel. There’s a whisper of Orkney’s salty seaspray in the aromatic peat smoke.

Flavours: Cherries, Dark chocolate, Toffee, Marzipan, Heather honey, & Aromatic peat smoke

Try with: Meaty fish like mahi mahi or swordfish cooked with Indian spices (think cardamom and ginger – surprisingly good!), cold meats with ginger chutney, and citrus fruit puddings.

£119.95

Two centuries of whisky experience, well-used

The easternmost whisky distillery in Scotland, Glen Garioch (pronounced glen geery) is also one of the oldest still operating. Founded in 1797 and barely closed in the more than two hundred years since (rare for any Scotch whisky distillery), Glen Garioch is renowned for a rounded, fruity single malt with a waxy mouthfeel.

Learn more

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ralfy review 1143 Extras – Stuff about Clynelish scotch whisky.

Eden Mill appoints Steven Kersley as Chief Executive Officer

St Andrews distillery names new CEO to lead its next chapter 

Eden Mill Distillery has today announced the appointment of Steven Kersley as Chief Executive Officer. Kersley, who brings over a decade of senior leadership experience in the Scotch whisky and craft spirits industry, takes the helm with an ambitious agenda to establish a world-class spirits brand rooted in its home of St Andrews.

The appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Eden Mill, which boasts a state-of-the-art distillery with significant capacity for expansion, a destination visitor centre, and a top-floor cocktail bar with panoramic views across the Eden Estuary and St Andrews skyline.

Steven Kersley, Chief Executive Officer at Eden Mill, said: “With its location at the gateway to the home of golf, our distillery occupies one of the most compelling sites in Scottish spirits. St Andrews is a genuinely special place with over a million tourists passing through each year. As the 2026 season gets underway, we’re adding to the excellent local offering with our distillery visitor centre.

“We have an incredible back-catalogue of award-winning spirits, but what excites me most are the spirits that are yet to come. We’re building a whisky programme that’s uncompromising in its ambition: a wood policy of serious depth and intention, underpinned by a distillate that’s been crafted by layering flavour at every stage of production. We’ll be bold in our decision-making in order to make the best whisky possible – and then we’ll take it to the world.“

The appointment comes as Eden Mill builds momentum under new ownership, including the start of the St Andrews tourist season, an exciting pipeline of whisky and gin releases, and the continuation of the business’s popular private cask programme. International expansion sits alongside UK growth as a clear commercial priority.

Tony Banks, Chairman, Ruby Capital Limited, said: “We acquired Eden Mill because we believe in what it can become. It has an extraordinary location, a loyal following, and the infrastructure to grow into something significant.

“Appointing Steven is the most important step we’ve taken since acquisition. He understands this industry from the ground up, he has the commercial ambition we need, and he shares our absolute commitment to making whisky of the highest quality. That shared goal is the foundation everything else is built on. We’re giving him everything he needs to take our spirits to the world stage.“

Eden Mill’s flagship distillery and visitor centre opened on the Eden Campus in October 2025. The site includes a 300-cask warehouse, the 40-seat Lookout Bar, a high-end retail space, and an immersive experience programme built around whisky, gin and mixology.

In our first Points of Distinction, we explored the depth and structure of first-fill European Oak through the Cigar Malt series. In our second, we turned our attention to the fruit-forward elegance of American Oak in the Distinction Series. This time, we look at the whisky that brings both perspectives together. Tamdhu 12 Year Old.

Every distillery has a whisky that captures its character most completely. For Tamdhu, many would argue that whisky is the 12 Year Old. Matured in a harmonious combination of first-fill and refill American and European Oak Oloroso sherry casks, it showcases the qualities that have defined Tamdhu for generations: rich fruit, warming spice, natural colour and remarkable balance.

It is neither dominated by one oak nor another. Instead, it demonstrates what happens when each is allowed to contribute its strengths, creating a whisky that is unmistakably Tamdhu from first sip to last. Together, they create a whisky that captures the very essence of Tamdhu.

NOSE Rich and enticing, iced cinnamon rolls, orange boiled sweets, fresh sweet oak with raisins, and the faint hint of mint.

PALATE Silky texture that coats the mouth with banana, berry jam, malt biscuit, and classic sherry oak depth.

FINISH Pleasantly long and balanced with ground spice, dried fruit and soft Scottish tablet – finally unveiling the merest wisp of peat smoke.

Behind every bottle is the expertise of Tamdhu’s blending team, whose understanding of cask character, maturation, and house style allows them to bring together the right casks, at the right moment, to create the distinctive fruit intensity and smoothness that define our 12 Year Old.

Their role is often unseen, yet it is one of the most important in whisky making. Every cask contributes something different. The skill lies in recognising how those individual qualities can come together to create a whisky that is greater than the sum of its parts.

Tamdhu 12 Year Old was awarded Gold at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition – a recognition for a whisky that continues to demonstrate the value of exceptional casks, expert craftsmanship, and dedication.

A whisky worth revisiting.

SEPTEMBER 2026 AUCTION NOW LIVE!

Our September Auction is now underway, bringing together a selection of rare and sought-after whiskies, including a particularly special piece of Macallan history. The Easter Elchies expressions were released annually and exclusively through the distillery from 2008 until the final expression in 2013. Produced in exceptionally small numbers, these single-cask releases have become highly sought-after, particularly for their rarity as cask-strength Macallan bottlings. Distilled in 1996, this 2013 expression is the final release in the six-part series. With just 386 bottles produced, it represents an exceptionally rare example of Macallan’s single-cask heritage and a fitting highlight for the September Auction.

Another standout lot of the September Auction is this distinguished Glenfarclas 1974, distilled at Glenfarclas Distillery and matured in Sherry Butts before being bottled in 2001 as part of The Family Malt Collection. A fine example from this era of the distillery, this vintage expression has earned an impressive 91/100 on Whiskybase, highlighting the quality and character associated with Glenfarclas of the period.

Another notable highlight is this Aberfeldy 19 Years Old Manager’s Dram, distilled at Aberfeldy Distillery and bottled at cask strength in 1991. The Manager’s Dram series comprises annual releases made available to workers across the distilleries now within the Diageo portfolio. Each year, a single distillery was selected, with its manager entrusted to choose the finest casks for the release, which was then bottled in limited numbers at cask strength. A fascinating example of Aberfeldy from an earlier era, and a distinctive piece of the distillery’s history.

Another highlight is Balvenie Rose, released in 2008 and named for the story of Margaret Douglas, the Fair Maid of Galloway. According to legend, King James II of Scotland allowed her to remain at Balvenie Castle in exchange for an annual payment of a single red rose. Available exclusively to visitors at the end of their Balvenie distillery tour, the expression quickly became a popular and highly limited release. Bottled at cask strength, only 426 bottles were produced. A distinctive piece of Balvenie history, combining an intriguing local legend with an exceptionally limited bottling.

These featured lots are just a glimpse of what’s on offer in our September Auction. Visit clickwhiskyauctions.com to browse the full auction and discover many more exceptional bottles. Bidding closes from 8pm BST on Sunday, 20th September. Make sure you’re registered and ready to bid on your favourite drams – you have to be in it to win it!

Our newest Creators Collection, Elgin Marvels: Icons from Speyside presents two whiskies from the same town with two very different creation stories.

We hinted that Cask No. 35.405: Statuesque elegance has had a more complex journey – let’s get into it.

This distillery 35 release started with maturation in two bourbon hogsheads, one filled in 1987, and the other in 1988.  After three decades they were then transferred separately into first fill PX barriques. After three years, the content of the 1987 was married with the 1988 cask. Two years later, we moved the entire content into a second fill bourbon barrel so the flavours could mellow into their final form.

By contrast, Cask No. 7.286: Fruit bomb frieze was matured in a refill bourbon hogshead for the entirety of its creation, this Marvel features the kind of juicy extravagance you’d associate with earlier eras of this make. No twists or transfers – just time and patience to let the cask really shine.

While the cask approaches are vastly different, at 33 and 38 years old they are united not only by their lengthy maturation but also by their intense fruitiness. Together they emphasise the diversity that can come from one small corner of Speyside.

READ THE STORY

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Invergordon Finn Thomson Single Cask Single Grain Scotch Whisky

50 Year Old·1974 Vintage

£399.95

Distilled at Invergordon in 1974, this exceptional single grain Scotch whisky was matured for 50 years in a single bourbon barrel before being selected and bottled by independent bottler Finn Thomson. Released as part of the prestigious Crown Collection, it was bottled at its natural cask strength of 47.1% ABV without chill filtration or added colouring, preserving the full character developed across five decades in oak.

Scotland’s most exceptional casks. Drawing on generations of family expertise in the whisky trade, the company carefully selects and bottles rare single cask and small-batch whiskies that celebrate authenticity, provenance and outstanding quality.