Karuizawa 52 Year Old Cask #5627 The Prototype 58.3 abv 1960 (1 Bottle 70cl)

Karuizawa 52 Year Old Cask #5627 The Prototype 58.3 abv 1960 (1 Bottle 70cl)

The prototype bottle of Karuizawa Cask #5627, distilled on February 1st 1960, hand bottled on December 20th 2012. This unique version of the Karuizawa 1960 was bottled at 58.3% abv, a higher abv that the commercially released version. The label is signed by Osami Uchibori, legendary final Master Distiller at Karuizawa Distillery. 

This lot includes the original Guarantee Certificate issued by Master Distiller, Osami Uchibori and original cardboard carton, also signed by Mr Uchibori. The certificate, translated from Japanese, states, "I confirm that I bottled this", alongside the cask details and Uchibori-San's signature. (Please refer to photo of Uchibori-San signing the certificate in the lot images).

Only two 'prototype' bottles were ever drawn and bottled by hand from Cask #5627 in advance of the final 41 bottles of this whisky being commercially produced. The first was bottled on 2nd March 2012, the second and last hand-bottled 1960 vintage from Karuizawa is this one. This bottle was filled on the 20^th December 2012. As Cask #5627 had very little liquid in it after these samples were taken, it is believed that after the remainder of the cask's contents was transferred to a stainless vat to await commercial release.

Provenance

Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky, Bonhams Hong Kong, November 2019

1 bottle 70cl (original carton)

Please refer to images for levels and conditions

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