WORLD’S RAREST AND MOST COVETED JAPANESE WHISKY COLLECTION OFFERED AT BONHAMS CORNETTE DE SAINT CYR

 Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Full “Card” Series offered with each bottle signed by Ichiro Akuto

 Very few sets of the Full “Card” Series exist in the world

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Full “Card” Series. Estimate: €700,000 – €1,200,000.

Paris – One of the world’s rarest and most coveted collections of Japanese Whisky – the Hanyu Ichiro Malt Full “Card” Series – will be offered at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris in an online sale on www.bonhams.com from 12 – 29 November 2024.

Carrying an estimate of €700,000 – €1,200,000, this celebrated collection with exceptional provenance from a prominent private collector, comprises 54 bottles representing each playing card in a full pack. Each ‘card’ was bottled from a single cask of premium whisky ranging in production years from 1985 to 2000 from the acclaimed and now closed distillery of Hanyu. Only a few sets of the Malt Full “Card” Series exist in the world with this collection being unique, as each bottle has been signed by Ichiro Akuto, the whisky-making legend of Japan.

Amayès Aouli, Bonhams’ Global Head of Wine and Spirits comments, “As a pioneer in spirits at auction, Bonhams holds multiple world records for the Hanyu Ichiro Malt Full “Card” set series. We are honoured to offer this exceptionally rare collection once more. This is an incredible opportunity to acquire the most collectible of Japanese whiskies, with excellent provenance. For each bottle to be personally signed by the Master Distiller, Ichiro Akuto, makes this set truly unique.”

Clément Gaillard, Bonhams’ Specialist in Spirits added, “With only a finite number produced, it is one of the most sought-after whisky collections across the globe. To own this series, is to own an extraordinary piece of whisky history.” 

Bonhams sets world records

In 2015, Bonhams was the first auction house to sell the Full “Card” series, which set the world record for the most valuable Japanese whisky collection at HK$3,797,500. The legendary set then broke two new records at Bonhams in 2019 (for HK$7,192,000) and then again in 2020 when the collection made a spectacular combined total of HK$11,890,60 (US$1,520,000).

The Hanyu Distillery

Founded by Isouji Akuto, a 19^th generation descendant of a long line of sake brewers to produce Scotch-style malt whisky, the Hanyu distillery ceased production in 2000. But not before Ichiro Akuto, grandson of Isouji, stepped in to secure most of the casks of whisky left from the distillery (approximately 400). An avid whisky lover like his grandfather, Ichiro personally selected the prized amber liquid to be bottled for each ‘card’ released between 2005 and 2014, ensuring that the Hanyu legend lives on.  Read the interview with Ichiro Akuto in Bonhams Magazine here.

Sale: Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Full “Card” Series Location: www.bonhams.com

Date: 12-29 November 2024

About The Bonhams Network

Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.

In 2023, Bonhams achieved 14% growth with $1.14 billion in turnover. Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.

Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.

More information and highlights can be found HERE

For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com