NEW AUCTION WORLD RECORD FOR SINGLE BOTTLE OF JAPANESE WHISKY AT BONHAMS HONG KONG
RARE YAMAZAKI-50 YEAR OLD SELLS FOR HK$2,695,000
First edition of Yamazaki-50 year old. Sold for: HK$2,695,000 (estimate HK$1,800,000-2,400,000.
A rare first edition of Yamazaki-50 year old became the most valuable Japanese whisky at auction when it sold for a new world record of HK$2,695,000 at Bonhams Whisky Sale in Hong Kong on Friday 17 August. It had been estimated at HK$1,800,000-2,400,000. It overtakes the previous world record of HK$2,450,000 set at Bonhams Wine and Whisky sale in Hong Kong in May 2018. In total, the sale made more thanHK$26,000,000.
The oldest expression from the famous Japanese distillery, the Yamakazi-50 year old was matured in casks made from mizunara (Japanese Oak) before being bottled and released in 2005. Only 50 bottles were produced, making it one of the scarcest Japanese whiskies.
Earlier this year, Bonhams established a world record for the most valuable Scotch whisky – and the most valuable whisky ever sold at auction – of HK$8,636,250 for the Macallan Valerio Adami-1926-60 Year Old.
Bonhams Head of Fine Wine and Whisky in Hong Kong, Daniel Lam, said: “The Yamazaki-50 year old is an exceptional whisky and, of course, very rare indeed. This new world record for a bottle of Japanese whisky – just a few months after we set the previous one – and the world record we set for Scotch whisky in May demonstrate that the auction market for single malt whisky is in good health.”
Other highlights of the sale included:
- A bottle of the Yamazaki-35 year old, sold for HK$551,250 (estimate: HK$350,000-500,000);
- A bottle of Karuizawa-1965, sold for HK$490,000 (estimate: HK$330,000-380,000)
- A bottle of the Suntory-Rolling Stone 50th Anniversary from the Yamazaki distillery, sold for HK$465,500 (estimate: HK$280,000-360,000).
- A bottle of The Macallan Fine & Rare-1937-37 year old, sold for HK$428,750 (HK$260,000-320,000)
- A vertical collection of Port Ellen Annual Release – 17 bottles from 2001-2017 – sold for HK$367,500. (Estimate: HK$280,000-360,000)
- A bottle of Macallan Fine & Rare-1946-56 year old, sold for HK$392,000 (HK$250,000-300,000).
- A bottle of Hibiki-Arita-35 year old, produced to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Japanese porcelain production. Only 150 bottles were released. Sold for HK$196,000 (estimate: HK$100,000-140,000).
- The Karuizawa Sumo Trio Distilled in 1981, 1982 and 1983, framed within a crafted humidor designed by Ukiyo-e artist Hachisuka Kuniaki. Only 340 sets were produced. Sold for HK$183,750 (estimate: HK$90,000-120,000)
| Sale: Whisky |
| Location: One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong |
| Date: Friday 17 August at 4.30 pm |
| Specialist: Daniel Lam |
NOTES
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.
