BONHAMS HONG KONG SETS

NEW WORLD AUCTION RECORD

FOR A BOTTLE OF JAPANESE WHISKY

A Unique Yamazaki 50-Year-Old, Created for Club Natsume

Achieves HK$8,250,000 (US$1,050,000)

 Karuizawa 52-Year-Old Cask #5627, 1960 – Treasure Ship

Sells for HK$6,250,000 (US$797,000)

Sharon Chan hammering down the Yamazaki 50-Year-Old – Exclusively Created for Club Natsume to set a new world auction record for a bottle of Japanese whisky

Yamazaki 50-Year-Old Exclusively Created for Club Natsume

Hong Kong — Bonhams set a new benchmark today at The Legendary Japanese Whisky sale, where a unique Yamazaki 50‑Year‑Old created exclusively for Club Natsume soared to HK$8,250,000 (approx. US$1,050,000), nearly doubling its high estimate (estimate: HK$2,800,000 – 4,200,000) and setting a new world auction record for a bottle of Japanese whisky. Alongside the Karuizawa 52‑Year‑Old Cask #5627, 1960 – Treasure Ship, which realised HK$6,250,000 (approx. US$797,000; estimate: HK$2,200,000 – 3,200,000), the two rare ultra-aged bottles together achieved HK$14.5 million. Bonhams now holds the top three prices ever achieved at international auction for a bottle of Japanese whisky, affirming its unrivalled leadership in the category.

The Yamazaki 50-Year-Old ignited fierce competition in Bonhams’ Hong Kong saleroom. After intense bidding by three determined collectors in the room and on the phones, the bottle achieved a record-breaking HK$8,250,000. The spirited contest eclipsed the previous record of HK$6,200,000 (approx. US$790,000), set at Bonhams Hong Kong in 2020 for a Yamazaki 55-Year-Old, underscoring strong demand for ultra-rare Japanese whiskies.

Amayès Aouli, Global Head of Wine & Spirits, Bonhams, comments: “Breaking the world record for a Japanese whisky at auction is an important milestone. I would like to thank our passionate bidders, the consignor and all the Bonhams teams involved. It is also another powerful signal of Bonhams’ commitment to shaping the future of fine wine and spirits auctions. We are not simply responding to market demand; we are redefining it through expertise, authenticity and a truly international platform. This record underscores our ambition: to be the trusted global reference in our field and to keep elevating the category to new heights.”

(Left) Karuizawa 52-Year-Old Cask #5627, 1960 – Treasure Ship; (Right) Yamazaki 50-Year-Old Exclusively Created for Club Natsume

Among the rarest Japanese whiskies in existence, the Yamazaki 50‑Year‑Old is the distillery’s second‑oldest expression, released only in 2005, 2007 and 2011. This singular example stands apart for its exceptional provenance: created exclusively for Club Natsume in Nagoya to commemorate the club’s 50^th anniversary, distinguished by a washi label and signed by Suntory’s Chief Blender Shinji Fukuyo.

The Legendary Japanese Whisky sale followed the “white-glove sale” of Masterpiece Cellar of a Prescient Collector – Finest & Rarest Wines earlier today. In a packed saleroom, all 350 lots were sold for a total of over HK$23 million (approx. US$2,930,000), surpassing the pre-sale high estimate.

Building on these two successful live auctions, three online sales are also underway. Icons of Elegance: The Private Wine Collection of Marie‑France Van Damme (closing on 3 June), Wine Icons from Distinguished Private Collections (closing on 4 June), together with A Dialogue of Time: Finest and Rarest Spirits (closing on 4 June), offer collectors further opportunities to acquire exceptional bottles.

About Bonhams

Founded in 1793, Bonhams is one of the world’s leading auction houses — defined by connection, and home to the curious.

With over 230 years of expertise, Bonhams operates a global network of trusted specialists across 24 countries, including flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong. Across more than 60 specialist categories, Bonhams serves collectors of every kind — from emerging to established — with the objects, stories and expertise that define their collecting journey.

Beyond auctions, Bonhams is both a destination for discovery and for industry-leading services and support. Its rotating programme of exhibitions and public programming is free and open to all, reflecting a longstanding commitment to curiosity, cultural conversation and the enduring power of objects.

For forthcoming auctions and details of specialist departments, visit Bonhams.com. Bonhams: A house built on knowledge. Defined by connection. Home to the curious.