SPOTLIGHT FALLS ON COMPLETE JAPANESE WHISKY SETS AT BONHAMS HONG KONG SALE IN MAY
Alongside curated selection for budding whisky collectors
with bidding from US$320
A complete set of Suntory 山崎 Yamazaki and 白州 Hakushu
Vintage Malt 1st Edition-1979-1994 (16 bottles)
Estimate: HK$600,000 – 800,000
The international auction house Bonhams presents a Fine and Rare Wine & Whisky Sale on 16 May 2020 in Hong Kong, featuring a group of exceedingly limited Japanese whisky series – most of them complete – from prestigious and newly-trending distilleries such as Yamazaki, Hanyu, Chichibu and Hakushu.
The demand for Japanese whisky is strong with an average of 90% sell-through rate at Bonhams’ recent sales. In August 2019, Bonhams set a new world auction record for a Japanese whisky series, as Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series sold for HK$7,192,000 to an Asian female collector, nearly doubling the previous record set in 2015, also by Bonhams.
Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ Director of Wine & Spirits, Asia, comments: ‘Collecting by series is often considered the ultimate pursuit for any dedicated whisky collector. It takes a great deal of time and perseverance to acquire each bottle in the market, and therefore when a set is complete, it brings no less joy than a trophy bottle. It is rare that a full series – especially in the case of Japanese whisky – comes onto the market. But when it does, it holds more value than the individual bottle added together, and will surely be hotly-contested.’
Highlights of Japanese whisky sets include:
- Lot 449 A complete set of Suntory 山崎 Yamazaki and 白州 Hakushu Vintage Malt 1st Edition-1979-1994 (16 bottles) (pictured front)
Estimate: HK$600,000 – 800,000
A complete set of first editions in unparalleled condition from two of Suntory’s most sought-after distilleries. Hakushu whisky won the award of The World’s Best Single Malt in 2019; whereas Yamazaki whisky was also awarded the World’s Best Whisky in the 2015 edition of Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
- Lot 475 A complete set of The Ghost Series Japanese Whisky (1st to 12th Edition) (11 bottles) (left above)
Estimate: HK$820,000 – 1,100,000
- Lot 505 A twin set of Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Joker ‘Monochrome’ & ‘Colour’ (2 bottles) (left middle)
Estimate: HK$350,000 – $500,000
- The largest group of Chichibu whisky ever offered at auction in Asia, among which ten lots will be sold as sets including:
Lot 594 Chichibu-2012-6 year old-#1487-章魚 and Chichibu-2010-8 year old-#646-金魚 (left right)Estimate: HK$30,000 – 40,000
Once again, we offer a curated selection of over 50 attractively-estimated Scotch and Japanese whiskies for budding whisky collectors. Ranging from HK$2,500 to HK$15,000, these bottles – all from the most sought-after distilleries – carry estimates lower than the current market price.
From left to right:
- Lot 254 Karuizawa-8 year old (bottled 1990’s Mercian)
Estimate: HK$4,500 – 6,000
- Lot 347 Macallan Speymalt-1973-30 year old
Estimate: HK$13,000 – 18,000
- Lot 671 Mars Shinshu-The Lucky Cat set (5 bottles)
Estimate: HK$10,000 – 14,000
- Lot 319 Chichibu-2019-#5821-Mount Bukō 武甲山
Estimate: HK$7,000 – 9,000
Other auction highlights include:
Whisky (from left to right)
- Lot 635 Karuizawa-1969-50 year old-#539-白命の水
Estimate: HK$360,000 – 450,000
- Lot 439 響 Hibiki ceramic-35 year old-人間国宝 三代徳田八十吉作 〈耀彩瓶 碧陽〉
Estimate: HK$180,000 – 240,000
- Lot 496 Dalmore-1926-50 year old
Estimate: HK$200,000 – 260,000
- Lot 493 Macallan Millennium Decanter
Estimate: HK$340,000 – 400,000
- Lot 459 Bowmore-1961-50 year old
Estimate: HK$360,000 – 460,000
- Lot 458 Bowmore Queen’s Cask-1980-21 year old
Estimate: HK$150,000 – 190,000
At the moment, this sale is planned to be conducted live behind closed doors. An auctioneer will be present on the rostrum, and bids will be accepted in the following formats: online, on the telephone with a member of client services, or by leaving an absentee bid. All bidding will be done remotely in accordance with government guidelines. Our specialists are also working remotely and are available to assist clients by email, telephone or social media platforms.
Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky 16 May 2020 Online catalogue HERE
Specialist: Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ Director of Wine & Spirits, Asia
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. bonhams.com
