Best whisky sale. A collection of rare Japanese whisky sold at Bonhams auction in Hong Kong. The collection made up of Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Ace of Clubs, Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Two of Clubs, Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Three of Clubs, Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Four of Clubs, and Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Five of Clubs sold for $20,546 inc. premium. Image courtesy of Bonhams

AUCTION

A 50-year-old rare bottle of Yamazaki just sold for $33,190 at auction in what can be considered the best whisky sale in Hong Kong.

HONG KONG— A highly collectible 50-year-old Yamazaki, one of the rarest and oldest Japanese single malt whiskies of all time and the true connoisseur’s dream, fetched HK$257,250 at Bonhams auctions in Hong Kong. After spirited bidding, the Yamazaki sold 70% above the presale low estimate of HK$150,000.

The sale of the rare Yamazaki illustrates Bonhams effort to entrench its tentacles in Asia. The successful auction of Japanese and Rare Whisky on August 15 situates Bonhams Hong Kong as a leader in the sale of rare malt whiskies in Hong Kong.  The auction which brought rare whisky collectors from across the globe began on a very enthusiastic note and ended with a high note.

The 200 lots of Japanese whisky on offer were immediately snapped up by enthusiastic rare whiskey collectors, resulting in a sellout with every single lot sold. The whisky sale, which also included 64 lots of Scottish single malts, totaled HK$6,564,898, with an overall 97% of the lots sold.

Spirited Whiskey Sale

From the spirited bidding in the packed saleroom and online request by whisky aficionados, the contest to win the rare whisky collection was intense. This drove the prices of their favorite malts above their presale estimates, proving that the demand for rare single malt whiskies and in particular Japanese ones remain at an all-time high.

Besides the Yamazaki, other prized Japanese whisky scored equally well. A Hanyu Ichiro’s Playing Card series from the silent distillery archived prices above presale estimates. The set of ‘Royal Flush’ featuring Ace of Clubs, Two of Clubs, Three of Clubs, Four of Clubs, and Five of Clubs sold for $20,546.  Similarly, a set of ‘Six Full House’ consisting of Six of Hearts, Six of Diamonds, Six of Spades, Five of Hearts and Five of Diamonds achieved HK$100,450.

Best Whisky Collection

Collectables from Karuizawa, another renowned Japanese silent distillery, attracted their equal share of bidders.  Leading the pack were the Karuizawa命之水 black and white series which sold for HK$116,375. An extremely rare Karuizawa-1965 -21-year-old- in a crystal decanter fetched HK$104,125.

A bottle of Macallan 55 Year Old limited edition in a Lalique crystal decanter was one of the top lots of the sales. The most coveted Scottish single malt achieved HK$294,000 after intense bidding. Also hotly contested were the extremely rare Macallan 1948 – 51 year old and the Macallan 1951 which sold for HK$153,125 and $ 18,966 respectively.

More liquid treasures will go to block at the next sale to quench the thirst among collectors for the finest wines, spirits and the ‘water of life.

Next Whisky Sale Begins

The success of the recent auction is already propelling Bonhams Hong Kong wine department to seek new consignment. Its Fine and Rare Wines, Cognac, and Single Malt Whisky Auction will be on November 18. Consignments will close on 30 September. According to Bonhams Auctioneers, “More liquid treasures will go to block at the next sale to quench the thirst among collectors for the finest wines, spirits and the ‘water of life’”.

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