BONHAMS SETS NEW WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR A WHISKY CASK

Hong Kong – An exceedingly rare 30 year whisky sherry hogshead cask from the famed Macallan Distillery achieved HK$4,464,000/ US$572,000, setting a new world auction record for a whisky cask at Bonhams sale of Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky on 15 November. Estimated at HK$3,600,000 – 4,600,000, this is one of the oldest editions of Macallan whisky cask currently available in the market.

Distilled in May 1989 and never since been moved from the distillery, this cask with perfect provenance can be stored at Macallan for as long as the buyer wishes, or yielded into a total of 261 bottles by an independent bottler.

Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ Director of Wine & Spirits, Asia, explains: ‘Not only has this 30 year-old cask set the new world auction record for a whisky cask, but it is also the most expensive per bottle cask ever sold at auction, and is expected to produce 261 bottles valued at HK$17,103/ US$2,200 per bottle.’

This marks the second whisky world auction record set by Bonhams in 2019. Only three months ago, Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series established a new record for a Japanese whisky collection for HK$7,192,000 (US$917,000), selling to an Asian female collector.

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.