Hanyu Yuzuru Playing Card Series Ace of Clubs Buyback
Regular price $999,999.00(Get a quote now)
Why is the Ace of Clubs the starting card for full set collectors?
In the Hanyu Playing Card Series, the four Aces are the starting goal for every full set collector, and Clubs is the rarest suit of the four. Because of this, the Ace of Clubs consistently maintains high auction interest, outperforming the Diamond series in sales for several consecutive years. For sellers who possess this card, its scarcity itself is a bargaining chip.
About Hanyu and Ichiro's Malt
Hanyu Distillery, located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, officially ceased production and closed in 2000. Afterwards, Ichiro Akuto took over the original spirits left by his father, bottling them individually as Single Casks. This marks one of the most iconic chapters in the history of Japanese single malt whisky collecting. The greatest feature of the Playing Card Series is that each barrel corresponds to one card—each card represents an independent single cask, and once the liquid in the barrel is sold out, it is gone forever. This is the fundamental reason why it cannot be restocked.
Ace of Clubs Specifications and Positioning
| Item | Characteristics of this card |
| Card Rank | Ace (Clubs suit) |
| Distillation Year | The series mainly features whiskies distilled in 1986 (refer to bottle inscription for specifics) |
| Cask Type Description | Primarily hogshead / bourbon refill (mostly single cask, cask strength) |
| Scarcity Level | Extremely rare |
| Series Status | The Ace is the leading card of each suit. Full set collectors typically start with the four Aces, and their market exposure is higher than lower-numbered cards of the same suit. |
Market Depth of the Card Series
Ichiro's Malt Playing Card Series is one of the most renowned single cask series in Japanese whisky history. After the Hanyu Distillery ceased production, Ichiro bottled 54 casks corresponding to 54 playing cards in batches, completing the series' release between 2005 and 2014. The entire series was then concluded.
The complete Card Series was auctioned at Bonhams in Hong Kong in 2019 for HK$7,192,000, setting a new auction record for Japanese whisky at the time. It remains the most frequently cited reference point for Card Series sales today.
Main Factors Affecting the Ace of Clubs Resale Value
| Assessment Item | Optimal Condition | Common Deductions |
| Fill Level (whisky Level) | Located at the ideal position on the bottle neck, with no significant decline. | whisky level sunken, suspected leakage. |
| Cork / Seal | Cork or screw cap healthy, seal intact. | Cork cracked, previously opened and re-sealed. |
| Label Printing | Single club motif and "ACE OF CLUBS" text clear, sharp borders. | Text blurry, frayed borders, yellowing. |
| Cask Number and Bottle Number | Cask number clearly engraved, corresponding to bottle number. | Engraving unclear, number inconsistent with outer box. |
| Original Wooden Box and Certificate | Original wooden box and certificate complete. | Missing box, missing certificate. |
Any of the above deficiencies will result in a tiered reduction in valuation, but does not mean the item cannot be accepted—even if the box or certificate is missing, the liquid itself is rare, and we will still evaluate it based on the current market range.
Hanyu Ace of Clubs Quote Process
- Clear Photos of Hanyu Ace of Clubs First: Take clear photos of the front, back label, fill level, seal, and box/certificate. WhatsApp them to 46135750; no need to bring the bottle out yet.
- Hanyu Ace of Clubs Matched Against Market Range First: For the same Hanyu Ace of Clubs, old labels, new labels, limited editions, or differences in the box/certificate can lead to price variations. We will clarify the version before quoting.
- Face-to-Face Transaction: Free on-site service in Hong Kong, Kowloon, and New Territories. After authentication, payment will be settled on the spot with cash or FPS. All transactions are handled one-on-one.
Frequently Asked Questions Before Valuing Hanyu Ace of Clubs
Q: Why do quotes for the same Hanyu Ace of Clubs vary?
A: Vintage, batch, box/certificate, fill level, and seal condition can all create differences. For special editions, recent buyer demand also plays a role.
Q: I want to sell a Hanyu Ace of Clubs. Which photos are most crucial?
A: Photos of the front, back label, fill level, seal, bottle bottom, and box/certificate are most useful. For limited themes, label designs, box/certificate, seal, and bottle bottom, close-ups are needed; the preservation of the label for themed versions often affects the price more than the name of the whisky itself.
Q: How can I tell if my Ace of Clubs is authentic?
A: The most direct way is to check the printing quality of the label, the sharpness of the single club motif's border, and whether the engraved cask number matches the bottle number. Some fakes may have blurry text or frayed borders. Send us multi-angle photos, and we can make an initial assessment.
Q: Why do quotes fluctuate over time?
A: Since Hanyu ceased production, no new stock can be replenished. The Card Series is an actively traded item, and transaction prices fluctuate over different periods. Our quotes are based on the current market range, not outdated prices from months ago.
If you wish to sell your Hanyu Ace of Clubs, please WhatsApp photos to 46135750 first; close-ups of limited themes, label designs, box/certificate, seal, and bottle bottom are required; the preservation of the label for themed versions often affects the price more than the name of the whisky itself. If the photos are clear enough, we can usually make an initial estimate of the approximate price range.
Other Hanyu Playing Card Singles
Different card ranks, cask types, and distillation years within the same series will directly affect the valuation. Please verify the version before selling:
- Hanyu Playing Card Series Jack of Diamonds Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series Black Joker Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series King of Clubs Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series 10 of Diamonds Buyback Price
- Hanyu Playing Card Series Queen (Single Card Purchase) Buyback Price
Related pages: buyback services Description, buyback FAQ, Hanyu Model List.
Hanyu Ace of Clubs Similar Whiskies:Hanyu Playing Card Series 10 of Clubs, Hanyu Playing Card Series 6 of Clubs, Hanyu Playing Card Series 8 of Clubs.
