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Private whisky cask collection aging in Tankyu Distillery warehouse, Hokkaido

Private Cask Program 2026

At the foot of the Daisetsuzan mountains, a cask bearing your name matures through Hokkaido's seasons — shaped by time, terroir, and craftsmanship into a whisky that is yours alone. A whisky cask investment rooted in Japanese craft and nature.

Official entitlement certificate providedFull cost transparency1 working day response guaranteed

Choose Your Cask

Signature Cask

100% Mizunara Oak Hogshead

220LOnly 15 casks remain

¥4,250,000

before tax

Crafted from pure Japanese Mizunara oak sourced in Toyama, each 220L hogshead is coopered from timber over two centuries old. Mizunara's exceptional rarity imparts complex, elegant notes of sandalwood and oriental incense — among the most prized maturation profiles in whisky.

  • Pure Japanese Mizunara oak
  • 200-year-old timber
  • Sandalwood & incense notes
8 years storage included
Free bottling at barrel strength included
Rich & Complex

18-Year Ex-Sherry Hogshead

220LOnly 7 casks remain

¥2,250,000

before tax

Sourced from Jerez, Spain, this 220L hogshead was seasoned for 18 years with your choice of Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez sherry. Dried fruit, nut, and subtle spice interweave to lend the spirit a deep, generous complexity.

  • 18-year sherry seasoning
  • Choose Oloroso or PX
  • Dried fruit & nut notes
3 years storage included
Free bottling at barrel strength included
Classic Choice

Ex-Bourbon American Standard Barrel

200LOnly 8 casks remain

¥1,380,000

before tax

A 200L American white oak barrel from Kentucky's bourbon country. Vanilla, toffee, and caramel emerge naturally from the generous spirit-to-wood interaction — a timeless, well-rounded maturation style.

  • American white oak
  • Vanilla & toffee notes
  • Full-size 200L barrel
3 years storage included
Free bottling at barrel strength included
Compact & Intense

Ex-Sherry Octave

55L100 casks available

¥448,000

before tax

A compact 55L octave cask seasoned with Spanish sherry. The high surface-to-volume ratio accelerates flavour extraction — concentrated dried fruit, toffee, and spice develop in a fraction of the time.

  • Sherry-seasoned oak
  • Rapid intense maturation
  • Compact & concentrated
3 years storage included
Free bottling at barrel strength included
Distillery team constructing a traditional wooden washback
Tankyu Distillery worker rolling oak barrels outdoors
iStill distillation equipment on the Tankyu Distillery production floor
Distiller rolling a whisky barrel through the snow

Cask Owner Privileges

2026 Perk

Free Bottling at Barrel Strength

For 2026, bottling at cask strength into standard 700ml bottles with the distillery's labels and packaging is included in the cask price. If you choose to reduce ABV by adding water, additional bottle costs apply due to the increased yield. Non-standard bottles and custom labels are available at additional cost.

Entitlement Certificate

Once your cask has been filled, you receive a formal Entitlement Certificate bearing your name, and a personalised brass nameplate is affixed to your cask — tangible proof of your ownership from the outset.

Maturation Sampling

Follow the evolution of your whisky over the years. Cask samples are available during maturation — visit the distillery in person or request delivery by post (sampling fees apply) — and experience the flavour journey from new make to mature spirit.

Distillery Visit

Every cask owner receives one complimentary VIP distillery visit for up to three guests. View your cask in the warehouse, tour the production floor, and enjoy a guided tasting — a moment to share with those who matter most.

Full Transparency

Our contract clearly sets out all terms: your entitlement scope, expected annual evaporation (angel's share), and insurance coverage against fire, theft, and natural disasters throughout the storage period. No hidden clauses.

One-to-One Consultation

After you enquire, our team will reach out personally to arrange a one-to-one consultation — via Zoom, phone, or in person — to answer your questions and tailor a maturation plan to your needs.

Production Specifications

Malt
Peated & non-peated malt (Scottish for regular releases; Japanese for special releases)
Milling
Hammer mill
Mashing & Lautering
Stainless steel mash conversion vessel + mash filter
Wort
High gravity wort (OG 1.080)
Fermentation
168 hours / 7 days — Stage 1: 3 days in stainless steel → Stage 2: 4 days in wood
Washbacks
4 × stainless steel (jacketed temp control) + 4 × wooden (crafted by 結い物で繋ぐ会 cooper collective)
Hybrid Still
iStill 2000 × 2 (Netherlands-made, automated reflux)
Water Source
Daisetsuzan spring water (~30 mg/L hardness)
Cask Types
Bourbon / Sherry / Mizunara / Octave
Annual Capacity
65,000 L (pure alcohol equivalent)
Climate
66.3°C annual range — accelerated maturation

Your Name on the Cask

Every private cask bears a personalised brass nameplate — your mark of entitlement from the date your cask is filled.

PRIVATE CASK OWNER

James Anderson

Mizunara Cask #001 · 220L Hogshead

Filled 2026

Illustration only. Actual plaque design may differ.

For Businesses & Organisations

Commission bespoke bottles for company milestones, client gifts, or VIP occasions — your own label on a Hokkaido whisky that leaves a lasting impression. For bars and restaurants, an exclusive house whisky at premium pour prices (¥3,000–5,000+ per glass) offers a distinctive edge and cultivates loyal patronage.

For Individual Collectors

A cask bearing your name, maturing through Hokkaido's seasons, quietly gathering character over the years. When the time comes to bottle and share it with family and friends, the whisky in every glass will carry a story that is unmistakably yours.

Timeline

  1. Cask Fill

    New-make spirit filled after contract

  2. Cask Certificate

    Receive your cask certificate

  3. Maturation Samples

    Periodic sampling available (fee applies)

  4. Bottling & Delivery

    From 3 years onward, at your chosen timing

Angel's Share

As whisky matures in the cask, a small portion naturally evaporates each year — distillers call this the angel's share.

Estimated Bottle Yield (700ml)

3 yr10152025 yr

Estimated 700ml bottles

~269

Angel's share: 14.3% lost over 3 years

* For illustration purposes only. Actual angel's share may vary depending on climate, warehouse conditions, and maturation length.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much whisky will evaporate during maturation?
In Hokkaido's climate, approximately 5% of the spirit evaporates each year (the angel's share). This is accounted for in cask filling volumes, and all remaining whisky in your cask is yours. The natural evaporation is part of the maturation process and contributes to flavour concentration.
Besides the cask price, what other costs should I expect?

For 2026, bottling at barrel strength into 700ml bottles with the distillery's standard labels and packaging is included in the cask price at no extra charge. If you choose to cut the whisky down to a lower ABV, the resulting increase in bottle count will incur additional bottle costs. Non-standard bottles and custom packaging also carry additional fees. The cask price includes storage for the initial included years. Please note that the wooden cask itself is retained by the distillery after bottling.

Annual storage (after included period)¥25,000 / cask / yearAdditional bottles (when cutting to lower ABV)¥350 / bottleNon-standard bottling — 50ml¥350 / bottleNon-standard bottling — 500ml¥450 / bottleNon-standard bottle procurement (if not in stock)Quoted separatelyCustom label printing¥60,000 / design (printing only)Cask sampling — at distillery¥2,300 / visit (100ml)Cask sampling — by mail¥3,000 + postage (100ml)Final regauge (before bottling)Included in cask priceAdditional regauge (during maturation)¥190,000 / session (max 1/year)Taxes (liquor, VAT, etc.)At prevailing rate at bottlingShippingVaries by destination & packaging
Can I have custom labels on my bottles?
Yes, absolutely. At bottling time, we offer custom label printing at ¥60,000 per design (printing only; design is quoted separately). You can create one-of-a-kind bottles featuring your name, brand, or a special message. Bottling at barrel strength into 700ml bottles with the distillery's preset label and packaging is included in the 2026 cask price at no extra charge. If you choose to cut to a lower ABV, extra bottle costs will apply. The cask price covers one complete bottling of the entire cask. Partial or batch bottling may be arranged separately at additional cost.
Can I transfer my entitlement of private cask?
Yes. Entitlement of private cask can be transferred to a new holder. A name change fee of ¥21,000 applies per transfer, payable by the new holder.
What cask sizes are available?
We offer four cask types for 2026: a 220L 100% Mizunara Hogshead (¥4,250,000), a 220L 18-Year Ex-Sherry Hogshead (¥2,250,000), a 200L Ex-Bourbon American Standard Barrel (¥1,380,000), and a 55L Ex-Sherry Octave (¥448,000). All prices are before tax.
What is the payment schedule?
Payment is made in two installments: 50% deposit upon signing the contract, and the remaining 50% after your cask has been filled. This structure ensures you only pay the balance once your whisky is confirmed in the cask.
Is co-ownership available?
Yes. Two or more individuals may jointly purchase a cask. One co-owner is designated as the representative for all communications and instructions. All co-owners share entitlement and bear joint responsibility. Details are available during consultation.
What happens if my cask develops a leak?
In the unlikely event of serious leakage due to a fault on our part, we will provide a replacement cask as close as possible in distillation date and wood type to the original. Natural evaporation (the angel's share of approximately 5% per year) is expected and accounted for in cask filling volumes.
Can the cask entitlement be passed on to heirs?
Yes. In the event of the owner's passing, entitlement transfers to their legal heir(s) or beneficiary(ies) with the administration fee waived. Appropriate legal documentation is all that is required.
Is a private cask a financial investment?
Our Private Cask Program offers entitlement to whisky in the cask — not a regulated financial product. While Japanese single malt whisky has seen strong appreciation in secondary markets globally, we do not guarantee financial returns. The value lies in owning a unique, handcrafted whisky matured in Hokkaido's exceptional terroir. For asset-oriented buyers, cask entitlement is transferable and the whisky may be bottled and sold independently.
Can I bottle and sell my whisky commercially?
Yes. Once bottled, the whisky is yours to keep, gift, or sell. Many cask owners bottle under their own label for retail, hospitality, or corporate gifting. We offer custom label printing and bespoke packaging to support commercial use. Please note that retail sale of alcohol requires appropriate licensing in most jurisdictions.
Why choose a Hokkaido cask over other regions?
Hokkaido's extreme seasonal cycle — from -20°C winters to 30°C summers — drives intense wood interaction, accelerating flavour development compared to temperate climates. Combined with ultra-pure Daisetsuzan spring water, rare Mizunara oak availability, and a young distillery with growing international recognition, Hokkaido offers a compelling terroir for whisky maturation.

Book a Consultation

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Prefer email? Reach us at info@tankyudistillery.jp

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