Hanyu Playing Cards

The Hanyu Playing Cards series, also known as Ichiro's Malt Card Series, is a highly sought-after collection of Japanese single malt whiskies from the Hanyu distillery.

The distillery was founded in 1941 by Isouji Akuto but ceased operations in 2000 and was later demolished in 2004. Ichiro Akuto, Isouji's grandson, rescued the remaining stock of about 400 casks and launched the series in 2005 under his company, Venture Whisky​.

Each bottle in the series features a unique label depicting a playing card, resulting in a total of 58 different labels: 52 for the standard deck and six for jokers and other special cards. The series includes both initial and second bottlings for some cards, reflecting the extended maturation periods​​.

The Hanyu Playing Cards series has become legendary among collectors due to its rarity and the high quality of the whisky. Bottles from the series often fetch high prices at auctions, with some selling for tens of thousands of dollars​ (dekantā)​​ (dekantā)​. The creativity behind the labels, inspired by conversations with bartenders, further adds to the collection's allure and uniqueness​​.

Hanyu Playing Cards series is a prestigious collection that commemorates the legacy of the Hanyu distillery through a blend of exceptional whisky and artistic labeling.

Explore detailed information about these unique Hanyu Playing Cards bottles.

Hanyu 1985/2006 55,7% Single Malt Ace of Spades

Distiled: 1985
Bottled: 2006
Cask type: 1st Hogshead 2nd Spanish Oak Sherry Butt
Strength: 55,7%
Bottling series: Card Series – Ace of Spades
Size: 700ml
Number of bottles produced: 300

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Hanyu 1990/2007 54,2% Single Malt Jack of Spades

Distiled: 1990
Bottled: 2007
Cask type: New American Oak Hogshead
Strength: 54,2%
Bottling series: Card Series – Jack of Spades
Size: 700ml
Number of bottles produced: 349

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Hanyu 1988/2006 56% cask#9003 Single Malt King of Diamonds

Distiled: 1988
Bottled: 2006
Cask type: 1st Hogshead 2nd American Oak Sherry Butt
Cask number: #9003
Strength: 56%
Bottling series: Card Series – King of Diamonds
Size: 700ml
Number of bottles produced: 555

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Hanyu 1986/2009 55,4% cask#9033 King of Hearts

Distiled: 1986
Bottled: 2009
Cask type:Pedro Ximenez Sherry Butt Finish
Cask number: #9033
Strength: 55,4%
Bottling series: King of Hearts
Size: 700ml
Number of bottles produced: 444
Single Pedro Ximenez Sherry Cask Finish

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Hanyu 1990/2006 16yo 54,6% cask#9102 Queen of Hearts Ichiro’s Malt

Distiled: 1990
Bottled: 2006
Age: 16 years
Cask type: French Oak Cognac Wood
Cask number: #9102
Strength: 54,6%
Bottling series: Queen of Hearts
Size: 700ml
Number of bottles produced: 324
Single French Oak Cognac Wood

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