KARUIZAWA GEISHA SERIES OFFERED FOR FIRST TIME AT AUCTION
LEADS BONHAMS HONG KONG WHISKY AUCTION

The complete set of Karuizawa Geisha

Est: HK$1,000,000- 1,300,000

A complete set of Karuizawa Geisha Series whisky, never before seen at auction and estimated at HK$1,000,000-1,300,000, leads Bonhams Hong Kong Whisky sale on 19 August. The sale, which features more than 260 lots of rare Japanese and Scotch whiskies, takes place at Bonhams Hong Kong saleroom (2001, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong).

Karuizawa is a silent distillery in Japan which closed in 2000. The finest expressions of its whisky were carefully selected and bottled as the Geisha Series. The 27 bottles which make up the Geisha Series contain whiskies aged for 29, 30, 31 and 50 years and bottled in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Bonhams whisky specialist, Daniel Lam commented “This is an exciting opportunity to acquire a legendary whisky. The Geisha Series has never been offered at auction before and I am expecting great interest from collectors around the world.”

Other highlights of the auction include a selection of the coveted Hanyu Ichiro’s Card Series. A set of Clubs flush of malts 3,7,8,9 and 10 is estimated at HK$120,000-150,000 as is a set of Hearts flush of malts 3,4,8,10 and J. A collection of vintage bottles of Yamazaki sherry wood whisky from 1982 to 1986 is estimated at HK$140,000-180,000.  

From Scottish distilleries comes a vertical selection of The Macallan. Offered as one lot and estimated at HK$420,000-460,000, the 29 bottles cover the years 1958-1986. The sale also includes a highly sought-after Macallan 50 year old bottled in a Lalique decanter, estimated at HK$280,000-340,000, and a bottle of Royal Salute 50 year old specially bottled in 2003 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 50 years on the throne. It is estimated at HK$120,000-150,000

Auction Highlights

1.

The complete set of Karuizawa Geisha

Est: HK$1,000,000- 1,300,000

2.

Macallan Lalique 50 year old

Est: HK$280,000 – 340,000

Royal Salute 50 Years Old

Est: HK$120,000 – 150,000

4.

Macallan vintage collection 1958 – 1986

Est: HK$420,000-460,000

5.

Macallan 1961

Est: HK$110,000 –140,000

6.

Macallan Millennium Decanter-1949-50 year old

Est: HK$100,000 –140,000

7.

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Six Full House

Est: HK$120,000 – 150,000

8.

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Hearts flush of 3,4,8,10,J

Est: HK$120,000 – 150,000

9.

Yamazaki Sherry Wood Vintage Collection 1982 – 1986

Est: HK$140,000 – 180,000

10.

Very Olde St. Nick Bourbon Collection 22 -25 year old

Est: HK$22,000 – 26,000

NOTES

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, the auction house offers more sales than any of its rivals. The main salerooms are in London, New York and Hong Kong. Sales are also held in the UK in Knightsbridge and Edinburgh; in the US, in San Francisco and Los Angeles; in Europe, in Paris and Stuttgart and in Sydney, Australia. Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of forthcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.