View all newsletters
Latest in Luxury - Sign up to our weekly newsletter
  1. Travel
  2. Bucket List
July 22, 2019updated May 11, 2020

The Most Exclusive Whisky Tasting in the World

By Emma

This November, whisky lovers all over the world are getting a chance to try expressions of the rarest whisky line in the world, Ichiro’s Malt Card Series (from Japan’s Hanyu Distillery) and also get automatically inaugurated into an ultra-exclusive club, the Monochrome Joker Club. You can’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Hosted in Gothenburg, Sweden on November 1-3, you can experience a tasting with whisky connoisseur and author of Whisky Rising (a guide to Japanese whisky), Stefan Van Eycken. Hosted at the five-star Upper House hotel, there are just 48 seats available and cost is determined by the index of Rare Whisky 101 (right now it’s priced at $21,000). Spend the weekend relaxing at the hotel and perusing the charming city, known for its seaside fare and café culture.

By participating in the tasting, each guest will be inaugurated into the Monochrome Joker Club, a select group whose members have tasted all 54 casks from the Hanyu Distillery (which ceased production in 2000). This ultra-exclusive club will host annual tastings of exclusive whiskies for its members, who pride themselves on loving whisky and its unique flavors.

Here, you will taste all 54 bottles of Ichiro Malt Card Series, which will be divided into four flights, over the course of Saturday and Sunday. Each flight will contain 13-14 bottles (two will be tasted Saturday and the other two Sunday). At the end of the dinner, you will get to taste a special limited-edition expression to celebrate the occasion.

Credit: upperhouse.se

Ichiro Malt Card Series Collection was created when Ichiro Akuto (the distillery owner’s grandson) saved 400 casks when the distillery closed in 2000. The collection of 54 bottles is modeled after a deck of cards: Each represents a card in a poker deck, and each bottle has its original card label and individual flavor. The unique approach to these bottles has resulted in a cult-like following, as it’s one of the toughest whiskies to get your hands on.

The distillery’s owners’ history dates back to the 17th century when the Akuto family made sake in Japan. In 1941, the family started producing Scotch and when it opened, created the Malt Card Series line. It’s one of the rarest whiskies in the world, and the only way to try this whisky is through a friend, the secondhand market or by visiting this exclusive tasting in Gothenburg.

For more information, visit mono-joker.club

Content from our partners
W New York - Times Square: "We Do Things Differently"
The Finest Destinations to Fly Private with Qatar Executive
A Weekend Travel Guide to Austin, Texas

Select and enter your email address Be the first to know about the latest in luxury lifestyle. Get the latest news on hotel openings and in-depth travel guides. Get insider access to exclusive promotions and special offers from our luxury partners.
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thank you for subscribing to Elite Traveler.

Websites in our network