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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: your own whisky from a single cask, rooted in Japanese craft and nature.

Official entitlement certificate providedFull cost transparency1 working day response guaranteed

This page is a record of the 2026 Private Cask Programme. The 2026 round has closed.

See the current programme →

Choose Your Cask

Signature Cask

100% Mizunara Oak Hogshead

220LLimited to 15 casks

¥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

220LLimited to 7 casks

¥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

200LLimited to 8 casks

¥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

55LLimited to 100 casks

¥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

* Stated volumes are nominal. Casks are hand-coopered from natural wood, so actual capacity may vary slightly between casks.

Private Cask 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.

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 private cask comes with 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 and expected annual evaporation (angel's share). 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.

Timeline

  1. Cask Fill

    After contract, your cask is filled according to order sequence

  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.

* Stated volumes are nominal. Casks are hand-coopered from natural wood, so actual capacity may vary slightly between casks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the New Pot 2026 relate to the Private Cask programme?
The 'Single Malt New Pot 2026' released in May 2026 (limited to 1,500 bottles) is the same batch of spirit that will fill the first Private Casks. By trying the un-aged spirit at home, you can taste the starting point of the maturation journey your private cask will undertake. See the Single Malt New Pot 2026 release announcement for details.
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 you are entitled to all the whisky that remains in your cask. 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; the whole cask is bottled in a single session, and we do not offer partial or batch bottling.
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.
Can I share a cask with others?
Yes. Two or more people may purchase a private cask together. One is named as the representative for all communications and instructions. All share the entitlement and bear joint responsibility. Details are available during consultation.
What happens if my cask develops a leak?
Leakage is handled under the terms of your cask agreement. 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 holder's passing, the 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 product?
No. A private cask is an entitlement to the whisky matured in one specific cask, not the cask itself, and it is not a financial product. What it offers is a whisky of your own, matured in Hokkaido's terroir: you choose the cask type, follow its maturation, decide the bottling style and design the label. The entitlement can be transferred or passed on to family, and the bottled whisky may be kept or given. Selling it requires a liquor licence.
Can I bottle and sell my whisky commercially?
Yes. Once bottled, the whisky is yours to keep, gift, or sell. Many choose to 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.