UNSEEN IN THREE DECADES – HOLY GRAIL OF MACALLAN RELEASED AT NEXT BONHAMS HONG KONG SALE

Macallan Peter Blake 1926 60 year old (left) and Macallan Valerio Adami 1926-60 year old (right) estimated at HK$3,600,000 – 4,600,000 each

Hong Kong – Bonhams presents two rare vintage Macallan bottles unseen in public since they were auctioned over three decades ago in the 1980s – the 60 Years Old 1926 (Peter Blake Label) and the 60 Years Old 1926 (Adami Label), each estimated at HK$3,600,000 – 4,600,000 (£330,000-425,000; US$460,000 – 586,000). Both will headline in the next Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky sale on 18 May 2018 in Hong Kong.

Bonhams Head of Fine Wine and Whisky in Hong Kong, Daniel Lam, said: “These bottles are incredibly rare. The exceptional calibre of the whisky combined with the wonderful artwork from two towering figures of 20^th century Pop Art –  Peter Blake and Valerio Adami – represent a unique marriage of excellence.  Only 24 of these bottles were produced, and the sale is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for collectors to acquire the Holy Grail of Macallan.”

The whisky was bottled in 1986, and Macallan commissioned Peter Blake and Valerio Adami to design labels for very limited editions, to offer as corporate gifts to the distillery’s most valued customers. Only 24 bottles – 12 of the Blake label and 12 of the Adami – were produced.  They are elegantly presented in specially commissioned cabinets or Tantaluses, based on the traditional ‘Brass and Glass’ distillery spirit safe.

Sir Peter Blake (born 1932) and Valerio Adami (born 1935) are among the most highly acclaimed 20^th Century Pop artists. Blake is most popularly known for co-creating the Beatles’ album cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club band in 1967, which was voted by ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine as the number one album of all time from a list of 500. Valerio Adami is an Italian artist famous for painting bold, flat forms outlined in thick, black lines, in a style reminiscent of comic art.

About Bonhams 

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.