{"product_id":"qing-jing-ze-1981-hei-hong-lan-lang-biao-hui-shou","title":"Karuizawa 1981, black, red, and blue wave-marked Buyback","description":"\u003ch3\u003eKaruizawa 1981 Black, Red, Blue Wave Labels: Why They Are Key to Completing a \"Full Set of Karuizawa\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eKaruizawa, distilled in 1981, is one of the most iconic single cask vintages before the distillery ceased production. Although all distilled in 1981, these bottlings come from different oak casks, each with its own independent cask number and alcohol content, and are distinguished by three colors of labels: black wave, red wave, and blue wave. This particular set is considered a must-have by collectors. For sellers who own one or more of these bottles, identifying the color and cask of their bottle is the first step in price negotiation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKaruizawa 1981 Wave Label Brand Context and Resale Value\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eKaruizawa was produced by the Mercian distillery in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, and is a type of \u003cb\u003eJapanese single malt whisky\u003c\/b\u003e. Production ceased in 2000, and the distillery was demolished in 2011, meaning no new whisky has been produced since. Its single cask bottling means that each bottle contains liquid from a single oak cask, and the bottle clearly indicates the cask number, distillation year, bottling year, and number of bottles produced. Once a cask is sold out, the exact same liquid is no longer available. While the 1981 vintage was not considered a rarity back then, its rising brand status and dwindling supply have made it a core target in the collectibles market, with some rare single casks fetching over seven-figure HKD prices at Bonhams and Sotheby's.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eComparison of the Three Wave Label Versions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVersion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Identifying Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarket Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eBlack Wave Label\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eBlack wave-patterned label, independent cask number.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eRarest among the three colors.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eRed Wave Label\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eRed wave-patterned label, independent cask number.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eSecond in rarity after the black wave.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eBlue Wave Label\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eBlue wave-patterned label, independent cask number.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eLeast circulated among the three colors.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFactors Affecting Karuizawa 1981 Wave Label Valuation\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssessment Item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptimal Condition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Deductions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eWave Label Color and Cask Number\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eLabel color clearly discernible, cask number complete.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eColor faded, cask number blurry and difficult to read.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlcohol Content Marking\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eClear alcohol content information on the bottle; cask strength versions are more sought after.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eMarking unclear, version cannot be verified.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal Wooden Box and Certificate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eOriginal wooden box and single cask certificate complete.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eNo box or certificate, significant valuation discount.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003eFill Level and Seal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eFill level maintained at the neck, seal intact.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eFill level below the shoulder, seal damaged.\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow to Prepare Your Karuizawa 1981 Wave Label Before Selling\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eBefore inquiring about the Karuizawa 1981 wave label, take these photos\u003c\/b\u003e: Clearly photograph the front, back label, fill level, seal, and box\/certificate. Simply WhatsApp them to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/85246135750\"\u003e46135750\u003c\/a\u003e; there's no need to bring the bottle out first.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst verify the Karuizawa 1981 wave label version\u003c\/b\u003e: For the same Karuizawa 1981 wave label, differences in old vs. new labels, limited editions, or box\/certificate variations can lead to different prices. We will clarify the version before quoting.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eKaruizawa 1981 wave label can be appraised in-store or at your location\u003c\/b\u003e: We can arrange an appraisal for the Karuizawa 1981 wave label at your location or in-store, and payment will be made after both parties confirm the physical condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions Before Selling Karuizawa 1981 Wave Labels\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: I want to sell my Karuizawa 1981 wave label. Which photos are most crucial?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: The most useful photos are of the front, back label, fill level, seal, bottle bottom, and box\/certificate. The cask number, distillation year, bottling year, label theme, and box\/certificate can all affect the price. Close-up shots are needed for Geisha, Noh, Samurai, or bird and flower themes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Are the three wave labels from the same year and cask?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: No. The three colors represent different single cask batches, with varying cask numbers, outturn, and alcohol content, and thus different valuation logic. The cask number of your bottle can be cross-referenced with original factory data. If you are unsure, simply send a clear photo of the bottle neck for our team to assess.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: The fill level has dropped significantly. Is there still resale potential?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: It depends on the extent of the drop and the condition of the seal. Slight evaporation is normal, but if it's below the shoulder, it will affect the valuation and increase the difficulty of authenticity verification. In such cases, it's safer to sell it as soon as possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: I only have one single color, not a complete set of three. Can it still be purchased?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Yes, it can. The three colors are traded independently. A single bottle will be purchased based on its cask number and condition, matching its market resale range, without needing to complete the entire set.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you wish to sell your Karuizawa 1981 wave label, you can first WhatsApp photos to 46135750. The cask number, distillation year, bottling year, label theme, and box\/certificate will all affect the price; close-up shots are needed for Geisha, Noh, Samurai, or bird and flower themes. If the photos are clear enough, we can usually determine an approximate price range.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSimilar Versions of Karuizawa 1981 Wave Label for Reference\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKaruizawa 1981 wave label can also be compared with:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/hui-shou-qing-jing-ze-yi-ji-xi-lie-1981-2042wei-shi-ji\"\u003eKaruizawa Geisha Series 1981 Distilled #2042\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/hui-shou-qing-jing-ze-yi-ji-xi-lie-1981-2100\"\u003eKaruizawa Geisha Series 1981 Distilled #2100\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/hui-shou-qing-jing-ze-yi-ji-xi-lie-1981-6256wei-shi-ji\"\u003eKaruizawa Geisha Series 1981 Distilled #6256\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKaruizawa whiskies can have different valuation ranges depending on the vintage, label version, and maturation cask. Before selling, it's advisable to compare your bottle's market position:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/%E8%BC%95%E4%BA%95%E6%BE%A4-%E8%83%BD-15%E5%B9%B4\"\u003eKaruizawa Noh 15 Years Buyback Price\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/%E5%9B%9E%E6%94%B6%E8%BC%95%E4%BA%95%E6%BE%A4%E8%97%9D%E5%A6%93%E7%B3%BB%E5%88%971982-2748-%E5%A8%81%E5%A3%AB%E5%BF%8C\"\u003eKaruizawa Geisha Series 1982 Distilled #2748 Single Cask Buyback Price\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%A8%81%E5%A3%AB%E5%BF%8C%E8%BC%95%E4%BA%95%E6%BE%A4-%E8%83%BD-29%E5%B9%B4%E5%9B%9E%E6%94%B6%E5%83%B9%E5%80%BC\"\u003eJapanese Whisky Karuizawa Noh 29 Years Buyback Value\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/%E5%9B%9E%E6%94%B6%E8%BC%95%E4%BA%95%E6%BE%A4%E8%97%9D%E5%A6%93%E7%B3%BB%E5%88%9738%E5%B9%B4-4348-%E7%8F%8D%E7%8F%A0%E8%97%9D%E5%A6%93\"\u003eKaruizawa Geisha Series 38 Years #4348 Pearl Geisha Buyback Price\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%A8%81%E5%A3%AB%E5%BF%8C%E8%BC%95%E4%BA%95%E6%BE%A4-%E8%83%BD-32%E5%B9%B4%E5%9B%9E%E6%94%B6\"\u003eJapanese Whisky Karuizawa Noh 32 Years Buyback Price\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eMore Market Information on Karuizawa 1981 Wave Labels\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo learn more about market trends for other vintages and versions of Karuizawa, you can browse the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/%E8%BC%95%E4%BA%95%E6%BE%A4%E7%B3%BB%E5%88%97\"\u003eKaruizawa Buyback Price Full List\u003c\/a\u003e, and refer to the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/pages\/japanese-whisky\"\u003eJapanese Whisky Buyback Overview\u003c\/a\u003e, or enter the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%A8%81%E5%A3%AB%E5%BF%8C\"\u003eJapanese Whisky Encyclopedia\u003c\/a\u003e series.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"威仕世忌","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42799868182745,"sku":null,"price":999999.0,"currency_code":"HKD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/0014\/7161\/products\/1.jpg?v=1652509292","url":"https:\/\/whiskyera.com\/en\/products\/karuizawa-1981-black-red-and-blue-wave-marked-buyback","provider":"威仕世忌","version":"1.0","type":"link"}