Karuizawa "Noh" 31 Year Old #4: Closed Distillery Gem, Inventory Only Decreases
After the Karuizawa Distillery ceased production in 2000 and was officially dismantled in 2011, no new spirits were born. All bottles currently on the market are old cask-aged whiskies left over before the distillery closed. This "Noh" 31 Year Old single cask (#4) was selected and bottled by Number One Drinks Company – the very company that propelled Karuizawa onto the international top auction stage. Single cask means the liquid comes from only one oak cask, and once the cask is empty, it's gone forever. Combined with the artistic Noh mask label, it has maintained its popularity in the secondary market and at auctions for a long time. For sellers who have this whisky in hand, this scarcity is the basis for their pricing power.
Karuizawa and Number One Drinks
Karuizawa was a Japanese single malt distillery operated by Mercian in Nagano Prefecture, known for its long aging in Spanish sherry casks and its heavy body. The cask-aged original spirits left after the distillery closed were selected and bottled by companies like Number One Drinks Company and brought to market, setting new high prices at Bonhams and Sotheby's, establishing Karuizawa's status as a "dream item." Due to the "angel's share," high-aged whiskies evaporate by about 2%–4% each year, so the existing stock decreases over time, and scarcity only increases.
"Noh" 31 Year Old #4 Market Profile
| Assessment Item | Content and Market Details |
| Distillery Status | Karuizawa Distillery ceased production in 2000 and was dismantled in 2011, making it truly discontinued Japanese whisky. |
| Series Features | Noh Whisky series, with labels featuring traditional Japanese Noh masks, offering high artistic and collection value. |
| Whisky Attributes | 31 Year Old Single Malt / Single Cask. |
| Bottling Background | Selected and bottled by Number One Drinks Company, a key player in Karuizawa's entry into the international auction market. |
| Market Status | Stock is decreasing, a familiar face at international auctions, with high liquidity and attention. |
Four Factors Affecting the Buyback Price of "Noh" 31 Year Old #4
The key to price differences for the same whisky lies in its preservation status. The following four items are the criteria we openly compare when appraising:
- Fill Level: Long-term storage may cause natural evaporation. A higher fill level, closer to its original state, results in a better buyback price.
- Seal and Cork: The integrity of the seal, absence of re-shrink marks, and no leakage from the cork are important indicators of preservation and authenticity.
- Label Integrity: A Noh mask label without yellowing, water stains, or damage significantly increases its value in the collector's market.
- Original Accessories: Complete original box, certificate, and hangtag (i.e., full set) best meet the highest buyback standards.
Karuizawa Noh 31 Year Old Buyback Quotation Process
- Karuizawa Noh 31 Year Old price inquiry with photos: Take clear photos of the front, back label, fill level, seal, and box/certificate, and send them via WhatsApp to 46135750. The approximate price is usually determined from these photos.
- How the Karuizawa Noh 31 Year Old price is set: After receiving the photos, we first check if the Karuizawa Noh 31 Year Old is original and unopened. Then, we price it based on whether buyers are looking for a regular edition, old label, Kacho Fugetsu edition, Arita-yaki, or other limited editions, avoiding rough estimates based solely on the whisky name.
- Flexible transactions: You can visit our store in person or schedule a pick-up anywhere in Hong Kong. Once confirmed, payment will be made immediately in cash or by bank transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions Before Karuizawa Noh 31 Year Old Valuation
Q: Why do quotes for the same Karuizawa Noh 31 Year Old differ?
A: The vintage, batch, box/certificate, fill level, and seal condition all create differences. For special editions, recent buyer demand also plays a role.
Q: Does a different bottler affect the buyback price of "Noh" 31 Year Old?
A: Yes. Karuizawa single casks are often bottled by different selection companies. Versions handled by bottlers like Number One Drinks, which have dealt with a large volume of Karuizawa, are more recognized in the market. Providing information about the bottle and back label allows us to match it to the corresponding transaction range.
Q: I have more than one Karuizawa. Can I sell them all at once?
A: Yes. We are skilled at handling both entire cellar releases and individual sales. We will appraise each bottle based on its condition and then provide an overall quote, saving you the time of comparing prices in batches.
Q: Will the quoted price be lowered on the spot?
A: No. We insist on providing a reference range with photos first. If the physical item matches the description, the transaction will proceed according to the established market price. We will not maliciously cut prices on the spot. If the price is not agreeable, you can always reclaim your collection.
If you have Karuizawa Noh 31 Year Old to sell, take clear photos of the bottle, 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 Noh 31 Year Old Brand and Category References
To learn more about the market prices of Karuizawa of different vintages and editions, you can browse more Karuizawa buyback models, or refer to the Japanese Whisky Buyback Overview and Japanese Whisky Encyclopedia.
Karuizawa's price is heavily influenced by vintage, label version, and cask type. Before selling, ensure you match the version:
- Karuizawa Geisha Series 38 Year Old #4348 Pearl Geisha Buyback Price
- Hong Kong Long-Term Buyback Karuizawa - Noh - 41 Year Old Buyback Price
- Professional Purchase Karuizawa - Noh - 31 Year Old Buyback Price
- Karuizawa Geisha Series 1977 Distilled #3584 Single Cask Buyback Price
- Karuizawa Noh 15 Years Buyback Price
Karuizawa Noh 31 Year Old Brand and Classification References
To understand more about Karuizawa's various vintages and editions, you can browse more Karuizawa buyback models, or refer to the Japanese Whisky Buyback Overview and Japanese Whisky Encyclopedia.