Our May auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Friday 15^th May until Sunday 24^th May.

www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Karuizawa – 1985

Rosebank – 1993 (Single cask)

Cask sales – Craigellachie (2006), Braes of Glenlivet (1994), Girvan (2006), North British (2010), Cawdor Springs (2016) & Port Charlotte (2008)

Nikka – 25 Year Old (Pure Malt)

Over 1,000 bottles of bourbon & rye whiskey. 

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk.

 Exceptional Whiskies

Including the Dalmore 62 Year Old and a Collection of Samaroli

Distilled | Iconic Samaroli & Dalmore 62

Samaroli Collection

The sale features an important Italian collection of Samaroli of a magnitude that is truly rare. Silvano Samaroli’s bottles are widely regarded as the greatest whiskies ever produced and as a result they are now extremely scarce. The most valued bottles, such as the Bowmore Bouquet and Laphroaig 67, are rarely seen more than once a year at auction. Comprising 55 bottles, the collection boasts three bottles of Bowmore Bouquet 1966 (estimated at £40,000-55,000 per bottle). The ultimate trophy for whisky collectors, Bowmore Bouquet is considered by many aficionados to be the greatest whisky ever bottled: listed #1 on Whiskybase.com’s list of the Top 1000 Whiskies, it has also received a staggering 98-point score from Serge Valentin, a well-known name on the whisky scene. Other highlights include Laphroaig 1967 (est. £24,000-30,000) and Ardbeg 1976 (est. £5,000-7,000).

The Dalmore 62 Year Old

The Dalmore 62 Year Old is one of the oldest whiskies to have been released from the Dalmore Distillery, with only 12 bottles made available. The sale will present Bottles #2, “The Mackenzie” and Bottle #5, “The Cromarty”, estimated at £75,000-100,000 per bottle.

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

SCOTCH GALORE CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

We would like to announce that working alongside UPS we will be able to continue trading during these uncertain and trying times by offering our customers the ability to sell their Whisky 24/7 365 days per year at a price you want online at Scotch Galore. This is achieved with UPS doing a collection service on our behalf i.e. you simply contact us at info@scotchgalore.com we then arrange for UPS to come to your home, pick up your whisky and return it to Scotch Galore where we will list it online @ https://www.scotchgalore.com for you. We offer quick and speedy money in your account within 48 hours after your bottle sells. So what you waiting for drop us an email and remember FIX the price you want #DontGambleYourBottle

The Largest Spirits Online Sale Presented by Sotheby’s Hong Kong

Open for Bidding Today Through 5 May

Fine Selection of Sought-After Spirits from The Macallan, Ardbeg,

Springbank, Glenfiddich and Samaroli’s Legendary Independent Bottlings, and

Elegant Classics from Karuizawa and Ichiro’s Hanyu Bottlings

Distilled | Whisky

Opening for Bidding: 21 April – 5 May

Comprising over 130 lots, Distilled | Whisky + Moutai + More is the largest online sale for spirits ever  presented by Sotheby’s Hong Kong. The sale focuses on the most sought-after names in both Scotch and Japanese whiskies as well as Chinese spirit Kweichow Moutai. Leading the sale is Karuizawa Aqua of Life 50 Years 1968, which is one of an incredibly limited release of only 248 bottles from 2018. The Mortlach 75-Year-Old Gordon & Macphail Generations (1 BT70), the oldest whisky ever bottled, is a trophy piece for any serious collector and not to be missed.

The Macallan Duncan Taylor The Rarest Collection 42 Year Old 1969 (1 BT70) Est. HK$170,000-220,000

As one of the oldest independent bottles of The Macallan at 42 years, this decanter set is a celebration of single cask expressions. Not only Is the whisky accompanied by cut crystal Glencairn glasses and adorned with a hallmarked silver stopper, but its presentation case is made out of its own cask #6860.

Mortlach 75 Year Old Gordon & Macphail Generations (1 BT70) Est. HK$130,000-180,000

A must-have for any serious collector for one simple reason: this is the oldest whisky ever bottled. Originally established in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail is one of the oldest and most revered independent bottlers in Scotch Whisky’s history. Gordon & MacPhail previously set the record for the oldest age statement whisky ever with their 70 Year Old Mortlach under the same Generations series.

Coleburn Samaroli Flowers 12 Year Old (1 BT) Est. HK$24,000-32,000

Silvano Samaroli’s whiskies are known to be among the best in the world, with Laphroaigs and Bowmores achieving the highest scores on Serge Valnetin’s WhiskyFun.com. Silvano began his independent bottlings in earnest with the Samaroli Flowers series. These whiskies were carefully selected and the label designs were drawn by Silvano himself. This Coleburn is one of this inimitable series, and to increase its desirability, Coleburn itself is a closed distillery, so very few of its bottles exist.

Karuizawa Aqua of Life 50 Year Old 1968 (1 BT70) Est. HK$280,000-400,000

Since March 2020, a 52 Karuizawa has held the record for the most valuable Japanese whisky ever sold when it achieved £636,000 at Sotheby’s in London. This 50 Year Old from cask #6223 known as “Aqua of Life” is one of an incredibly limited release of only 248 bottles released in 2018. Since Karuizawa’s closure in 2011, no new whisky has been distilled and existing stocks are becoming more and more limited as time goes by.

Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Card Series Ace of Clubs cask #9523 2000 (1 BT70), Est. HK$110,000-160,000

After Hanyu ceased production in 2000, Ichiro Akuto, grandson of Hanyu’s founder, purchased 400 whisky casks from the closed distillery. He bottled his first few casks, each identified by a different playing card, which proved to be highly successful. Ichiro went on to complete the set with 58 cards produced in total, and his Malt Card Series became one of the most iconic series in the world of whisky. The ‘Ace of Clubs’ is particularly interesting as this was bottled from a Mizunara Puncheon – made from a very rare and valuable hardwood with aromatic properties.

ABOUT SOTHEBY’S

Sotheby’s has been uniting collectors with world-class works of art since 1744. Sotheby’s became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973), India (1992) and France (2001), and the first international fine art auction house in China (2012). Today, Sotheby’s has a global network of 80 offices in 40 countries and presents auctions in 10 different salesrooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris. Sotheby’s offers collectors the resources of Sotheby’s Financial Services, the world’s only full-service art financing company, as well as the collection, artist, estate & foundation advisory services of its subsidiary, Art Agency, Partners. Sotheby’s also presents private sale opportunities in more than 70 categories, including S|2, the gallery arm of Sotheby’s Global Fine Art Division, and three retail businesses: Sotheby’s Wine, Sotheby’s Diamonds, and Sotheby’s Home, the online marketplace for interior design.

Our April auction is now LIVE!

Place your bids from Friday 17^th April until Sunday 26^th April at

www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

Every month, we present an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits to our members right across the globe. You will find everything here from limited edition releases and vintage bottles to whole casks of rare whisky. There is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest or enjoy!

Macallan – 35 Year Old (1988) Mizunara

Karuizawa – 35 Year Old (1981) Fazzino

Macallan – 1956

Cask sales – Bunnahabhain (1989), Craigellachie (2008) & MacDuff (2009)

Buffalo Trace (1993) Old Fashioned Copper

3 x Charity bottles to support NHS Grampian during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Selling whisky? Why not arrange the pick-up of your bottles using our global courier service? If you’re based in Scotland, you might want to arrange the personal collection of your bottles. Wherever you’re based in the world, we will make getting your bottles into our monthly auction as simple as possible. Get in touch with the Whisky Hammer team now by dropping them a message at sales@whiskyhammer.co.uk

HOW TO SPEND £1M… AT HOME IN YOUR PYJAMAS

For most of us, online shopping is an everyday occurrence. But when it comes to big spending or making investments, have you ever considered the possibility of spending over £1m in one go, without even leaving your sofa?

From 10-20 April 2020, online whisky auction specialists Whisky Auctioneer will launch the second part of its sale of The Perfect Collection by Mr. Richard Gooding – a library of over 3,900 of the rarest, most coveted, most expensive as well as expansive range of bottles of Scotch Whisky ever to go to public auction.

During the 10-day sale of 1,958 bottles, whisky lovers worldwide will have what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase some very special whisky. Some highlights include:

● The Macallan 1926 Fine & Rare 60 Year Old
● A host of highly sought-after bottles from some of Scotland’s lost distilleries including Dallas Dhu, Glenugie and Killyloch with some bottles dating back as far as 1921
● Glenfiddich 1937 Rare Collection 64 Year Old; with only 61 bottles produced this is a very rare find and is the oldest expression ever to have been released by Glenfiddich
● Glenfiddich 1936 Peter J. Russell – a truly unique example of one of Glenfiddich’s early single malts, bottled in 1969
● Alongside Mr. Gooding’s favourite bottling, Bowmore’s 1964 Black Bowmore, there are many other exceptional examples from the Islay distillery including other 1964 vintages and expressions, including both the Black, White and Gold as well as the Fino, Oloroso and Bourbon cask ‘trilogies’
● Rare Bowmore finds such as the 1967 Largiemeanoch and the 25 Year Old Auld Alliance Chateau Lagrange bottling .

Iain McClune, Founder of Whisky Auctioneer said:

“The Perfect Collection auction is a once in a lifetime opportunity for collectors, investors and whisky lovers to acquire a piece of whisky history. They will find many bottles that have never, or rarely, been seen on the secondary market.

The auction includes the opportunity to purchase The Macallan 1926 Fine & Rare 60 Year Old, a range of highly sought-after bottles from some of Scotland’s lost distilleries, and special Bowmore, The Balvenie and Glenfiddich bottlings – all of which are gold dust for collectors.

With the current situation requiring so many of us to stay at home, the beauty of Whisky Auctioneer, unlike traditional auction houses, is that we bring the opportunity of this magnificent collection of whisky to you wherever you may be. It is so easy to get involved anywhere in the world by bidding from the comfort of your own home on your laptop or phone, with something for all ranges of budgets – from a hundred to over a million pounds – a truly accessible auction for all those who have an interest in whisky.”

To sign up for Part Two of The Perfect Collection by Mr. Richard Gooding and for more information, visit:

www.whiskyauctioneer.com www.whiskyauctioneer.com/perfect-collection-mr-richard-gooding

CLICK HERE FOR THE PERFECT COLLECTION DIGITAL CATALOGUE

CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO AUCTION LISTING

Notes 

Since launching in 2013, the Perthshire-based company has made its mark in the realm of whisky auctions by creating an accessible and easy way of buying and selling whisky online. Up until February 2020, Whisky Auctioneer has sold 228,551 lots and in February this year made history during part one of the iconic sale of Mr. Gooding’s Collection when a bottle of The Macallan Valerio Adami fetched over one million dollars, and 1,932 bottles were sold for $4,277,000 (£3,290,000) in total – the most ever at an online only whisky auction.

The Perfect Collection was diligently assembled by late American businessman, Mr. Richard Gooding over almost two decades. Fuelled only by his passion for whisky, it was his mission to collate what has been deemed ‘The Perfect Collection’, with the aim of collecting examples of single malt whisky from every Scottish distillery, whether open or closed. He would regularly fly to Scotland with his private pilot to get his hands on some of the most prized bottles to exist in the whisky world from his favourite distilleries.

The following whiskies are part of the Marquee bottlings from auction two:

● The Macallan 1926 Fine and Rare 60 Year Old 75cl / US Import Est. hammer price: £1,000,000 – £1,200,000
● Glenfiddich 1936 Peter J Russell Est. hammer price: £3,000 – £5,000
● Glenfiddich 1937 Rare Collection 64 Year Old Est. hammer price: £50,000 – £60,000
● The Balvenie 1937 Pure Malt 50 Year Old 75cl / Milroy’s of Soho Est. hammer price: £18,000 – £23,000
● Bowmore 1964 Black Bowmore 29 Year Old 1st Edition Est. hammer price: £12,000 – £17,000
● Bowmore 1967 Largiemeanoch 12 Year Old Est. hammer price: £10,000 – £15,000
● Dallas Dhu 1921 Private Cask 64 Year Old #296 Est. hammer price: £5,000 – £10,000

About Whisky Auctioneer

Whisky Auctioneer specialises in auctioning whisky, whether it be fine, old, rare, collectible or affordable. Formed in 2013 and based in Perth, central Scotland, its website aims to be the most comprehensive available for the buying and selling of whisky. Whisky Auctioneer sources not only Scottish whiskies but also those from distilleries around the world, including America, Japan, Sweden and Ireland. Registering to bid is easy. No matter what whisky you are looking for, whether an old and rare The Macallan, exciting limited Glenmorangie, vintage The Glenlivet, youthful intense Ardbeg, rich and powerful Lagavulin, aggressive Laphroaig, old and unusual Springbank or rare Glenfiddich, it sells whiskies to suit all tastes. The organisation is always on the lookout for those closed distilleries we all wish still existed; Port Ellen, Rosebank, Dallas Dhu, Imperial and Brora to name a few.

For more information visit: www.whiskyauctioneer.com

For more information on The Macallan

Auction Your Cask postpones second online auction despite confidence in whisky investment

Auction Your Cask has announced it will postpone its second online whisky auction dedicated to casks due to take place at www.auctionyourcask.com on 22nd April.

Despite their confidence in the whisky investment industry and the success of the first auction in January, the team at Auction Your Cask pride themselves on offering the best experience for their customers which would be impossible without the option of sending samples to potential buyers around the world and hosting tasting events for people to try before they buy. Added to this, people wishing to enter casks into the auction are unable to get them checked, re-gauged and request the relevant documents as the distilleries are closed.

Owner of Cask Trade, the parent company of auctionyourcask.com, Simon Aron, says he is still investing in the future of the business by buying casks and has an amazing list even at this time: “I am confident the auction would be a success but our business model is to offer samples to people all over the world and host tasting events. Plus, people wanting to enter the casks into the auction won’t be able to get them checked and re-gauged at this time as the whisky industry has shut down.”

“I am extremely confident in the value of whisky, we are fortunate that it’s a medium to long-term investment,” adds Aron.

Auction Your Cask hosted the world’s first, live, online only auction dedicated to casks in January. Auctionyourcask.com allows private owners and investors to sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world. Among the casks sold during the first auction was a 1995 Springbank sherry hogshead which was bought for £47,200 and the Glen Ord barrel April 2015 went for £3,186.

Aron adds: “We will continue to monitor the unfolding Covid-19 situation closely and will announce the new date for the second auction as soon as safely possible, meanwhile we send our best wishes to everyone in these unprecedented times.”

For an inventory of stock available, including recently added new casks, register online at www.casktrade.comto receive a list.

NOTES:

Founded in 2018 by Simon Aron in partnership with several of the world’s foremost whisky masters, including Keeper of the Quaich Sir Colin Hampden-White, Cask Trade buys and sells exceptional cask whiskies. The company is unique because it only sells casks it owns outright, and it only sells whole casks: it is not a whisky cask broker and it does not offer fractional sales.

A passionate whisky collector for more than 20 years, Simon Aron suffered many false promises from whisky investment companies and this drove his ambition to create a real and trustworthy market place for whisky collectors and investors, and bottlers:

The company’s casks are held in the best HMRC bonded warehouses, regularly visited and approved by Cask Trade whisky masters. All stock holdings have a complete paper trail.

• Delivery orders from supplier to Cask Trade
• Invoices for transfer of ownership, storage insurance, re-gauging, sampling or movement
• HMRC-issued WOWGR (warehouse keepers, warehouse premises, owner of goods and registered consigners): a fully regulated and closely monitored license requiring due diligence on suppliers as well as customers.
• HMRC-issued AWRS Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme: Licenced to wholesale, bottle and retail.

Included in its extensive list of customer services, Cask Trade’s rigorous processes means that the company will guarantee to buy back from its clients the casks they buy from and have had managed by Cask Trade. It also offers…

• Regular sampling and re-gauging of casks
• Re-racking (sherry wine, port etc)
• Estimates of bottles and strength in cask (effects of angels’ share 0ver years of maturations)
• Financial modelling for each cask based on age and rarity with estimated % returns
• Costings for bottling, labelling and shipping (duty & tax)
• Regularly updated whisky investment guide which includes statistics from two authoritative third parties (independent of Cask Trade)
• Cask Trade will arrange for clients to receive samples of their whiskies and visit their barrels(s), upon request – wherever possible.

Cask Trade has started the first live auction website dedicated to exceptional whisky casks: auctionyourcask.com.

Hosted four times a year and helping private owners/investors sell their cask to independent bottlers and other investors all around the world. All casks will be re-gauged ready for auction and a full 70cl sample will be drawn so that bidders have the opportunity to try the whisky before they buy. – Wherever possible. We validate all the sellers and confirm proof of ownership and the history of the cask enabling bidders to safely buy. With complete transparency and no sellers’ fee we can offer you the actual hammer price. Our low buyers’ fee of 15% + VAT will offer the opportunity to buyers, trade or private, to buy rare casks.

https://www.casktrade.com

https://www.auctionyourcask.com

Whisky Price Growth

Results of the recent Knight Frank Wealth Report’s new unique luxury investment index revealed whisky was one of the most coveted objects of desire in 2019.

The report out in February 2020, says Rare Whisky has grown in value the most over the last 10 years at +564% and increased by +5% in the past 12 months; and states casks remained in huge demand. By comparison cars have seen an increase of 194%, art by 141% and wine by 120%.

https://www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport

Data collected by Rare Whisky 101 suggests the four-year growth from December 2014 in rare whisky has increased over 160%, compared to just 2.47% for the FTSE 100. https://www.rarewhisky101.com/indices

The same report by Rare Whisky 101 claimed via the BBC that they had performed a controlled test of 55 rare bottles, of which over a third were fakes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-46566703

New York, 6 April 2020 – Sotheby’s Wine is pleased to announce two exciting online auctions to be held this April: Distilled | The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection From Wing Hop Fung + More (now open for bidding through 19 April) and Vine to Online | The Old & New World (open for bidding from 13-26 April).

Connor Kriegel, Head of Auction Sales for Sotheby’s Wine in New York, said: “Following the success of our March sale series in London, which included a new auction record for any bottle of Japanese whisky, we are very pleased to present these two online auctions this month. Offering more than 300 lots, these sales will present collectors with the opportunity to acquire some of the very best bottles in both wines and spirits.”

DISTILLED | THE MACALLAN FINE & RARE COLLECTION FROM WING HOP FUNG + MORE

Now Open for Bidding through 19 April

THE MACALLAN COLLECTION | PROPERTY OF WING HOP FUNG

Our spirits auction is led by an extraordinary and rare group of 30 bottles from the legendary Macallan Fine & Rare series, on offer from specialty retailer, Wing Hop Fung. Spanning five decades from 1937 – 1972, these iconic whiskies were purchased as a single set directly from The Macallan in 2005. Each bottle, in its original wooden case, was delivered to Wing Hop Fung on 26 July 2005, by then Macallan Brand Ambassador, Mark Izatt, who also awarded a Certificate of Authenticity to the owner of Wing Hop Fung, Mr. Dayton Ong. Per this document, at the time that Wing Hop Fung acquired the collection, the retailer was the “only location in North America to house, in its entirety, The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection.”

The collection has been stored in Wing Hop Fung’s private cellars ever since and was only recently removed by Sotheby’s Wine Specialists this year for the April auction. In addition to the collection’s sterling provenance, the highly-coveted Macallan Fine and Rare 56 Year Old 1945 distinguishes this exceptional offering, carrying an estimate of $38/50,000.

The Macallan Fine and Rare 56 Year Old 1945

Estimate $38/50,000

This outstanding ensemble comes on the market following Sotheby’s exceptional results for whisky in 2019: The Macallan was ranked #1 spot on the list of Top Spirits Producers in our annual Wine Market Report. Moreover, our October sale of The Ultimate Whisky Collection in London – Sotheby’s first live auction dedicated entirely to spirits and the most valuable private whisky collection ever sold at auction – saw a new world auction record for any Spirit, when the The Macallan Fine & Rare 60 Year Old 1926 sold for $1.9 million.

Established in 1985 in Los Angeles’ Chinatown, Wing Hop Fung has become the premier and trusted location for Asian products in Southern California. Meaning “Together, Forever, Prosper,” the store offers the best in Chinese herbs, premium loose teas, ginseng, Asian delicacies, housewares, and fine wine and spirits.

A photo documenting the ceremony, in 2005, during which then The Macallan Brand Ambassador Marc Izatt delivers The Macallan Fine & Rare collection to Wing Hop Fung’s ownership. Image courtesy of Wing Hop Fung

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist, said: “Macallan is, undoubtedly, the world’s most collectable whisky and at the core of its most coveted expressions is the Fine & Rare collection. This collection achieved its cult status due to a number of qualities: vintages that stretch back to before the Second World War, age statements that exceed half a century and undeniable quality throughout. It is only the most savvy and determined of whisky collectors who have been able to build a truly comprehensive collection of Fine & Rare bottlings over the years, and it is rare to find one with such provenance. It is not only an honour for Sotheby’s to bring these bottles to auction, but an exciting opportunity for any collector to be able to build and complete their own meaningful collection of The Macallan Fine & Rare.”

CJ Lin, Fine Wine & Spirits Advisor for Wing Hop Fung, remarked: “We are very pleased to present our Macallan Fine and Rare collection to whisky enthusiasts worldwide this spring, and privileged to be in partnership with Sotheby’s. Beginning with our first acquisition of 2000 Chateau Mouton Rothschild almost two decades ago, Wing Hop Fung has built a fine wine and spirits collection that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. Our passion and dedication to fine wines and spirits has established our loyal relationships with wine growers, producers, importers and brand ambassadors. The Macallan Fine and Rare collection is one of our most treasured collections, and we hope it will be acquired by someone who can enjoy the legacy, spirit and prestige of this set.”

ADDITIONAL SPIRITS HIGHLIGHTS

Outside of the Wing Hop Fung collection, desirable lots include: The Macallan 50 Year Old in Lalique, 6 Pillars, First Edition (estimate $65/95,000); The Macallan Lalique 72 Year Old Genesis Decanter (estimate $80/120,000); the Black Bowmore and Bowmore Trilogy Collection (pictured left, estimate $140/220,000); as well as notable selections of Pappy Van Winkle, Colonel E.H. Taylor, Eagle Rare, Yamazaki, and Karuizawa.

In particular, The Macallan Lalique 72 Year Old Genesis Decanter represents the oldest age statement whisky to ever have been released from The Macallan Distillery. To date, only The Macallan and one other spirits producer have been able to release a whisky that exceeds 72 years – a testament to both the highly meticulous ageing process and The Macallan’s mastery. Additionally, the stunning Lalique Decanter is held in a bespoke cabinet designed by Burgess Studio and crafted by NEJ Stevenson, royal cabinetmakers to Queen Elizabeth II. Distilled during the Second World War, only 600 bottles of The Macallan Lalique 72 Year Old Genesis Decanter were released worldwide and with very limited allocation. Today, this remarkable whisky showcases what many connoisseurs refer to fondly as the “old style Macallan”, never to be recreated.

Other highlights include the Black Bowmore and Bowmore Trilogy Collection. The April sale marks the first time that the entire seven-bottle collection of Bowmore’s most iconic expressions, Black Bowmore and Bowmore Trilogy, has been offered as a single lot. Undoubtedly the most notorious Islay whiskies, some collectors have spent years attempting to complete this prized collection.

The Black Bowmore and Bowmore Trilogy Collection

About Sotheby’s Wine

In October 2019, our ‘white-glove’ sale of The Ultimate Whisky Collection smashed its pre-sale high estimate, achieving $10 million and establishing a new auction record for any bottle of wine or spirit when The Macallan 60-Year-Old 1926 sold for $1.9 million, far surpassing its estimate of £350,000-450,000. The landmark sale, held within the RM Sotheby’s Classic Car exhibition, bared witness to the highest-ever total for any whisky collection sold at auction, and the highest value wine or spirits sale ever staged by Sotheby’s London.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Sotheby’s Sells the Most Valuable Bottle of Japanese Whisky 

A Bottle of Karuizawa 52 Year Old Cask #5627 Zodiac Rat 1960

Achieves £363,000 / $435,273

“Against a backdrop of extraordinary circumstance, the persistence and commitment of collectors came through in yesterday’s sales, where a bottle of Japanese whisky became the most valuable ever sold, accompanied by strong prices for Scotch whisky, led by the Macallan in Lalique Decanters. Collectors also continue to compete for the world’s greatest wines, and when there is an opportunity to acquire the very best the market has to offer, as with the two cases of the legendary Cheval Blanc 1947, they are willing to stretch to the highest level.”

Jamie Ritchie, Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Wine 

LONDON, 19 March 2020 – Yesterday’s sales of Finest & Rarest Wines and Spirits at Sotheby’s in London brought a combined total of £3.7 million / $4.4 million (est. £2.8 – 3.8 million / $3.3 – 4.5 million). A substantial proportion of lots achieved prices above their high estimates, and in a category where online bidding is traditionally strong, over 50% of the buyers placed their winning bids online.

AUCTION RECORD FOR JAPANESE WHISKY

• A new auction record was achieved for a bottle of Japanese whisky, with a bottle of ‘Karuizawa 52 Year Old Zodiac Rat Cask #5627 1960’, sold for £363,000 / $435,273 to an Asian private collector, and far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of £160,000-220,000. The oldest Karuizawa to have been released, this iconic bottle is one of only 41 that were produced, each uniquely identified by an individual netsuke carved from the oak cask head of cask #5627.

SALES AT A GLANCE

• Finest & Rarest Spirits totalled £1,401,122 / $1,680,085 (est. £1 – 1.45 million / $1.2 – 1.7 million)
  • 45% of lots sold achieved prices above the high estimate

TOP LOTS

• The auctions were led, respectively, by two landmarks in the world of whisky, and one of the most legendary Bordeaux:

• • The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection, rarely seen in an unbroken vertical, sold for £423,500 / $507,819 (est. £320,000-480,000)
  • A decanter containing the oldest whisky ever to be released from The Macallan Distillery – The Macallan Lalique Genesis Decanter 72 Year Old – brought £84,700 / $101,564 (est. £70,000-100,000)
  • A bottle of Karuizawa 52 Year Old Zodiac Rat Cask #5627 1960 became the most valuable bottle of Japanese whisky ever sold, achieving £363,000 / $435,273

STATISTICS ON BIDDERS & BUYERS

• Participants hailed from 21 countries, from across Asia, Europe and North America