Karuizawa Geisha 1983 #2233: A Single Cask Gem Among Discontinued Japanese Whiskies
The Karuizawa distillery ceased production in 2000, and its facilities were dismantled in 2011, bringing an end to its supply of original spirits. This particular cask, distilled in 1983 with cask number #2233, is a single-cask bottling from the Geisha series with an independent cask number. All the liquid comes from the same oak cask, and once sold out, it will never be available again. For those who own it, the value of this bottle is built upon the irreversible conditions of being "discontinued" and "single cask unique."
Karuizawa Geisha 1983 #2233 Brand Background and Buyer Focus Points
Karuizawa was a single malt distillery (not a blended whisky) owned by Mercian, located in Nagano Prefecture. It was known for its small-scale production and long-term sherry cask maturation. It typically used Spanish Oloroso sherry casks for long-term aging, resulting in rich, deep-bodied whiskies. Common characteristics included dried fruit, Christmas pudding, dark chocolate, and cinnamon notes. After its closure, Karuizawa became one of the highest-priced brands for single bottles in the global auction market, with rare single casks fetching prices exceeding seven figures in Hong Kong dollars at Bonhams and Sotheby's. It's important to note that the source of the sherry cask (Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez) directly affects the sweetness and depth of the whisky, so each cask has a unique character.
Karuizawa Geisha 1983 #2233 Cask Specifications
| Item | Cask Information |
| Distillation Year | 1983 |
| Cask Number | #2233 |
| Type | Japanese Single Malt Whisky (Single Cask Bottling) |
| Cask Type Description | The source of the sherry cask (Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez) affects the sweetness and depth of the whisky. Judgment must be based on the cask type details on the back label. |
| Art Theme | Ukiyo-e Geisha Label |
| Distillery Status | Ceased production in 2000, distillery dismantled in 2011, discontinued Japanese whisky |
Key Factors Affecting the Buyback Price of This Cask
This cask is assessed bottle by bottle, based on its cask number, and benchmarked against transaction ranges of 1983 distillations with neighboring cask numbers from the past six months. The table below lists our main verification items during appraisal:
| Assessment Item | Optimal Condition | Common Deductions |
| Original Box and Certificate | Complete with outer box, numbered card, and certificate, no moisture damage. | Missing box, missing certificate, moldy paper items. |
| Geisha Main Visual Label | Geisha figure, hair ornaments, and kimono patterns show clear printing layers. | Blurred printing, color deviation, worn paper label. |
