Karuizawa Noh 15 Year Old (Second Edition): Noh Series 15 Year Old Second Edition, Cask Number Independent of First Edition
The 15-2 is a supplementary edition, with a lower frequency of transactions in international auctions than the first edition. Having both editions will command an additional premium.
Karuizawa Brand and Market Background
Karuizawa is renowned for its long maturation in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks, producing spirits with rich and deep flavors, featuring layers of dried fruit, Christmas pudding, dark chocolate, and cinnamon.
Karuizawa is currently one of the brands with the highest single-bottle transaction prices in the global whisky auction market. Some rare single casks have fetched over seven-figure HKD at Bonhams and Sotheby's.
Single cask bottling means that every bottle of spirit comes from the same oak cask. The bottle typically indicates the cask number, distillation year, bottling year, and quantity produced. The scarcity of single casks lies in the fact that once the cask is sold out, the exact same spirit no longer exists.
The market pricing logic for limited editions differs from regular editions: in addition to the quality of the spirit, factors such as packaging design, release quantity, and commemorative significance are all factored into the valuation. The completeness of accessories (original box, certificate, numbered card, etc.) significantly impacts the final transaction price.
Noh 15 Year Old (Second Edition) Specification Positioning
| Item | Characteristics of this bottle |
| Age | 15 Years (Second Edition) (Same age statement as 15 Year Old First Edition) |
| Cask Type | Single Cask, mostly matured in sherry casks |
| Label Main Visual | The Noh 15 Year Old Second Edition label features a darker mask design |
| Scarcity Level | Limited single cask, usually fewer than 200 bottles per release |
| Distillery Status | Ceased production in 2000, original site demolished in 2011, discontinued Japanese whisky |
Noh 15 Year Old (Second Edition) Key Identification Points
The main color of the 15-2 label is darker than the first edition, and the cask number label is located at the bottom right of the back label, differing from the first edition's position.
Common identification process: fill level (bottle neck position is ideal), health of cork or screw cap, label print quality, engraved bottle number, completeness of original wooden box and certificate. If any of these are missing, the valuation will be discounted accordingly, but it can still be accepted.
Market Depth of Noh Series
The Karuizawa Noh series is an art-themed bottling launched by the distillery after its closure, paying homage to traditional Japanese culture. Each vintage label features different Noh mask or costume patterns, with each bottling typically limited to fewer than 200 bottles.
The Noh series has high recognition among art collectors, and complete sets or combinations of the same vintage command a significant premium.
Selling Process
- WhatsApp Quote: Send multi-angle photos of the bottle to 46135750, indicating the version and accessory condition. Our team will respond on the same day.
- Face-to-face transaction: Free door-to-door service in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and New Territories. After authentication, payment will be made in cash or via FPS transfer on the spot, with one-on-one handling throughout the process.
Further reading: Japanese Whisky Full Series Valuation, Whisky Recycling FAQ.
