Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8: The Most Dramatically Visually Striking of the Entire Set
Karuizawa Samurai #8, with its label depicting two samurais confronting each other with dual swords, is the most visually striking and dramatic bottle among the 10 in the entire series, leaving a deep impression on collectors. In Asian auctions, #8 has consistently maintained high attention, and in earlier years, its transaction price even matched that of the most sought-after numbers in the series. Its visual recognition and market popularity make it a relatively easy bottle to negotiate when put up for sale.
Karuizawa: A Consistently Successful Brand in the Auction Market
The Karuizawa distillery, operated by Mercian, was located in Nagano Prefecture. Production ceased in 2000, and the distillery was demolished in 2011, meaning no new spirits will ever be produced. Precisely because its supply is completely capped, it has repeatedly achieved excellent results in the global auction market. The Samurai series has repeatedly set new transaction records at Bonhams Hong Kong, Sotheby's London, Whisky Era, and other venues, making it a recognized top representative of discontinued Japanese whisky.
Karuizawa is also one of the whisky brands with the highest single-bottle transaction prices, with the hammer price of some rare single casks exceeding seven figures in Hong Kong dollars. The market depth is sufficient to support the high valuation of the Samurai series.
#8 Specification Positioning
| Item | Bottle Characteristics |
| Number | #8 (8th bottle of the 10-bottle Samurai series) |
| Type | Japanese Single Malt Whisky |
| Age | 30 years, single cask independent bottling |
| Cask Type | Single Sherry Cask Matured |
| Label Main Visual | Samurai with dual swords in confrontation, highest visual tension |
| Distillery Status | Production ceased in 2000, original site demolished in 2011, discontinued Japanese whisky |
The Logic of Scarcity in Single Casks and Long Maturation
Single cask bottling means that all the liquid in the bottle comes from the same oak barrel, and the bottle is marked with the cask number, distillation and bottling years, and the number of bottles yielded from that cask. Once the liquid in the cask is used up, this particular whisky disappears forever. Furthermore, with over 30 years of maturation, about two to four percent of the liquid in the cask evaporates annually due to the "Angel's Share." The older the vintage, the fewer bottles are eventually produced. Irreplaceable supply is the fundamental support for the high valuation of #8.
Key Evaluation Points Affecting the Buyback Price of #8
| Evaluation Item | Optimal Condition | Common Deductions |
| Label Printing | Two-tone gold paint clear on sword spine and blade, details sharp. | Gold paint misaligned, blurring of sword printing (common in counterfeits). |
| Fill Level | Liquid level at the bottleneck. | Fill level dropped to shoulder, signs of leakage. |
| Seal | Cork or screw cap tight and healthy. | Cork cracked and loose, previously opened and re-sealed. |
| Engraved Number | Bottle number engraving clear and legible. | Engraving blurry or inconsistent with certificate. |
| Wooden Box and Certificate | Original wooden box, original factory certificate complete. | Missing box or certificate, discounted accordingly. |
Individual defects are only reflected in the estimated price range to a certain extent and do not affect our willingness to purchase; the value of the liquid in a discontinued single cask is always the basis for valuation.
Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8 Selling Arrangements and Precautions
- Before asking for a quote for Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8, take these photos: Clearly photograph the front, back label, fill level, seal, and box/certificate. Send them via WhatsApp to 46135750. The approximate price is usually determined from these photos first.
- For Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8, first compare with market ranges: After receiving the photos, we will first check if the Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8 is original and unopened. Then, we will price it based on what buyers typically look for: vintage, cask number, label theme, and completeness of the box and certificate, avoiding rough estimations based solely on the whisky's name.
- Arrange a time for collection: Pick-up at your location or meet-up at our store can be arranged across Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories, Outlying Islands, and Macau. After authentication, payment will be settled immediately in cash or via FPS.
Practical Questions About Selling Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8
Q: Which details most easily affect the price of Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8?
A: Fill level, seal, label wear, outer box condition, and rarity of the version are most crucial. For popular batches, recent market demand will also be considered.
Q: I don't have time to visit the store. Can Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8 be valued based on photos first?
A: Yes. If the photos are clear, we can already distinguish the version and approximate price. Before the actual transaction, the physical item will be reviewed once more.
Q: After receiving a quote, will the price change?
A: As #8 is actively traded in auctions, market conditions may fluctuate with transaction results. The quote is based on the market situation at the time of confirming the transaction. If there's significant market volatility, our team will proactively inform you.
Q: Do I need to pay any fees for on-site purchase?
A: No. On-site assessment and authentication in Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories, and Macau are completely free. Payment will only be settled if you agree to the transaction. The process is one-on-one and confidential.
If you have a Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8 you wish to sell, take clear photos of the bottle body, back label, fill level, and box/certificate, and send them to WhatsApp 46135750. With complete information, the quote will usually be closer to the actual transaction price.
Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8 Related Buyback Pages
Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old #8 can also be compared with:Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old 1, Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old 10, Karuizawa Samurai 30 Year Old 2.
The market prices for each number in the Samurai series vary, so you can compare them before selling. To learn more about our on-site service details, please visit Free On-site Buyback Process in Hong Kong and Macau, or contact us directly for an Instant Quote via WhatsApp.