BONHAMS SMASHES YET ANOTHER WHISKY RECORD

American Hogshead Cask from Macallan Distillery, 1996- 22 year old sold for HK$3,430,000 (US$437,861 / £342,271 

Hong Kong – Bonhams once again set a world whisky record at its Rare and Fine Wine and Whisky auction on Friday 16 November in Hong Kong with the sale of an American Hogshead Cask from Macallan Distillery, 1996-22 year old, which sold for HK$3,430,000 (US$437,861 / £342,271) to an absentee bidder against active bidding in the room, surpassing the original estimate of HK$2,200,000 to HK$2,800,000.

The new benchmark was set against the previous sale of a Sherry Hogshead Cask from Macallan Distillery, 1987-30 year old which sold for HK$2,928,000 (US$373,800 / £292,200) at auction in October 2017.

“Not only has this 22 year-old cask reached the highest record price realised at auction, but it is also the most valuable per bottle cask sold in auction worldwide and is expected to produce 310 bottles valued at HK$11,064 per bottle,” explains Daniel Lam, Director of Wine & Whisky, Asia.

During 2018, Bonhams has broken the world record for the most valuable bottle of whisky sold at auction on three separate occasions, and set a new world record for the most expensive bottle of Japanese whisky ever sold at auction.

The Hong Kong sale, Bonhams largest to date with more than 1,100 lots, concluded with a robust total
of HK$41, 219,168 (US$5,263,862/ £4,099,553) with 77% sold by lot and 87% sold by value.

Alongside the leading lot, impressive prices were also achieved throughout the whisky category of the auction including:

• A bottle of Karuizawa-1960-52 year old-#5627 the oldest expression, which was sampled and kept by Mr. Osami Uchibori, the former malt master of Karuizawa Distillery which sold for HK$1,837,500 (US$234,568 / £ 183,359) against an estimate of HK$1,000,000 – 1,400,000

• A bottle Laphroaig-1970-14 year-#4367 from one of the most legendary Italian independent bottlers Samaroli sold for HK$ 490,000 (US$62,551 / £48,895), against an estimate of HK$20,000 – 26,000

Within the wine category, the single owner collection from an esteemed Hong Kong collector presented across some 500 lots of fine wine purchased between 1980s and 2003 was well received amongst bidders. Immaculately preserved and aged in Hong Kong over the past 15 years, this was a truly “Made in Hong Kong” collection, featuring mature Bordeaux, multiple vintages of Penfolds Grange, Hill of Grace and other matured Australian wine, and Cult California wines from the 1990s.

Highlights in this sale include:

• Château Mouton Rothschild 2000 (1 jeroboam – 5 liters); bottle number 5 of 5000 and autographed by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild and sold for HK$171,500 (US$21,893 / £17,113)
• Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée 2004 (12 bottles) sold for  HK$147,000 (US$18,765 / £14,668)
• Domaine de la Romanée Conti 2000 (6 bottles) sold for HK$ 306,250 (US$ 39,094 / £30,559)
• Château Petrus 2002 (12 bottles) for HK$ 220,500 ( US$28,148 / £22,003)

Upcoming auctions at Bonhams globally include Fine and Rare Wines on 29 November in London (https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24606/); Fine and Rare Wines on 7 December in San Francisco (https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24854/); and Whisky on 12 December in Edinburgh (https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24762/).

Full details of the Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky auction available at https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24779/

About Bonhams Contact

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 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.

Hi folks, that’s us live with the 92st auction! Happy bidding!

Happy Bidding!

NOVEMBER AUCTION ENDS SOON!
(ends Sunday 25th November) 

…place your bids at www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!

Welcome to the Autumn Whisky Sale here at Mulberry Bank Auctions! 

We have a nice selection of Rare and Affordable bottles up for Auction on Tuesday 20^th November including a number of bottles from Silent Distilleries such as Dallas Dhu 26 Year Old Chieftain’s Choice; Glen Mhor 1980 Coopers Choice; St. Magdalene 1966 Connoisseurs Choice and Banff 1976 Old Masters.  If you are looking for an impressively packaged bottle of whisky, look no further than Lot 3 – Glengoyne Millennium Bottling presented in a miniature longcase clock  or the super premium blended John Walker & Sons Odyssey Blended Scotch Whisky – Lot 47.  We have also a great selection of bottlings from Morrison & Mackay’s Carn Mor Celebration of the Cask bottlings all at great estimates (perfect for a gift!).

NOVEMBER  AUCTION NOW LIVE!
(ends Sunday 25th November) 

…place your bids at www.whiskyhammer.co.uk

With an incredible selection of whiskies and other fine spirits there is certainly something for everyone – whether you are looking to collect, invest, enjoy!

November Whisky Auction Ends Soon

Just Whisky’s November auction comes to a close soon. With over 1,400 lots to view and bid on, make sure you don’t miss out!

The auction timer comes to a close on Sunday 18^th at 8pm UK time and you can view the entire auction here:

https://www.just-whisky.co.uk/269-november-2018#/auction-live

Karuizawa 33 Years Old 1981 – Wealth Solution ‘Sumire’ (1 of 6)

An ultra rare bottle of Karuizawa, 1 of only 6 bottles from Wealth Solutions, a respected alternative investment firm based in Poland.

Distilled in 1981 at the legendary closed Japanese distillery, Karuizawa. The whisky was then left to mature for 33 years in an Ex-Sherry cask (# 136) before it was bottled at cask strength in July 2014.

This gem features a stunning gold leaf screen printed label which illustrates Viola Mandshurica or What the Japanese call ‘Sumire’.

Red Hook 24 Years Old Rye – LeNell’s Barrel Proof

Red Hook Rye is a Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey which has been aged for 24 years in Warehouse G and bottled at barrel proof.

Back in 2006 when the first barrel of Red Hook was chosen from warehouse G, never was it imaged that just two years later, they would be facing a major shortage of super-aged straight rye whiskey. Samples were sent to LeNell’s to taste some of the precious limited last barrels (so limited in fact that it was from barrels which had originally fallen under the ricks of the warehouse all those years ago), they had decided the taste of the fallen angels were precious and must be bottled.

The future of LeNell’s is exciting and the possibilities are endless with new spirit being made in the stills and left to mature for some time until it is ready to be bottled and revealed to us all.

This bottle has been imported by Nippon Food GMBH, Switzerland.

 Brora 30 Years Old 1972 – The Whisky Shop

A Whisky Shop Exclusive single cask bottling of Brora 30-year-old, distilled March 1972 and filled by Douglas Laing and co. in February 2003. One of only 220 bottles produced.

 Laphroaig 40 Years Old – Natural Cask Strength

An incredibly sought after bottle of Laphroaig. This 40-year-old whisky was the official release which followed the 1960 40 year old which was exclusive to Oddbins.

In 1960, locally grown barley was malted by hand in the distillery’s own maltings. Using the soft peaty water from the Kilbride Dam and peat from the Glenmachrie Moss in March of that year, this unique whisky was produced and put away in the warehouse beside the sea for its long sleep.

This rare and unique whisky was produced and distilled under the care and attention of the legendary Bessie Williamson. Some people say she was the first genuine lady whisky distiller.

During forty years in the warehouse, a percentage of the contents of the casks has been lost in evaporation. This has been replaced by the salt-laden air of the Laphroaig Bay. To produce such a rich, mellow whisky, in such a harsh climate, is something that can only be wondered at.

 Dalmore 1974 – Matusalem Sherry Finesse

Uniquely drawn from a single majestic Spanish oak, sherry butt which formally held 30 year old Matusalem sherries from Jerez De La Frontera. This vintage “Finesse” has fused the citrus orange character of aged Dalmore with an aromatic spicy and dried fruits complexity rarely found today. This layering of aromas and flavours excites the palate resulting in a harmonious single malt whisky.

Distilled on the 15th April 1974, one of only 948 bottles released.

www.just-whisky.co.uk

OCTOBER 2018 AUCTION LIVE

Port Ellen 1981 Casks of Distinction 37 Year Old #1297 / Bottle No. 5

This incredible expression, numbering 174 bottles in total, is one of the oldest Port Ellen ever released. The whisky, bottled at 48.9% ABV, has been drawn from single cask #1297, which is part of Diageo’s ‘Casks of Distinction’ series, a range of unique individual casks each of extraordinary quality and character.

Glendronach Finest Highland Malt 1930s

A stunning example of pre-WW2 Glenrdronach. Likely aged around 12 years it is one of the earliest officially bottled single malts or “perfect self whisky” as the label reads. A rare opportunity to try an older style of whisky, made distinctive by the traditional methods and ingredients that went into its production.

Karuizawa 1964 Single Cask 48 Year Old #3603 / Wealth Solutions

An exclusive bottling for Wealth Solutions of Poland, this extremely rare 1964 single cask is arguably one of the most sought after Karuizawa whiskies. This is bottle number 143 of only 143 released on 24th December 2012, contained within a stunning Polish black fossibl oak case.

Samaroli Collection

We never tire of featuring examples from this legendary Italian independent bottler, they are without doubt some of the finest, rarest and most interesting bottles that we see. This month is no exception with a wide range of Samaroli on offer including the outstanding Scapa 1958, considered to be one of the best Scapa ever bottled.

Bowmore 1961 50 Year Old

The oldest publicly available Bowmore, distilled in December 1961 and matured for a half century in two ex-bourbon hogsheads. One of only 200 bottles released, a combination of glass artists, a woodsmith and a silversmith were all commissioned to create the exquisite packaging that accompanies this exceptional whisky.

Dekanta

2-49-7 Minamiikebukuro Toshima-ku, Tokyo,

Bonhams Whisky Sale

 American Hogshead Cask from Macallan Distillery. 1996-22 year old

The Whisky section of the sale is particularly strong with 530 lots and leading with an American Hogshead Cask from Macallan Distillery, 1996-22 year old, estimated at HK$2,200,000 to HK$2,800,000.

The sale also presents the largest selection of Japanese whisky with over 70 bottles from the closed distillery Karuizawa, a further 50 bottles of single cask Yamazaki and a selection from the highly sought after Hanyu Card series. Highlights include:

• A bottle of Karuizawa-1960-52 year old-#5627 the oldest expression, which was sampled and kept by Mr. Osami Uchibori, the former malt master of Karuizawa Distillery (estimated at HK$1,000,000-1,400,000);
• Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Joker “Monochrome” & “Colour” (2) estimated at HK$110,000-140,000
• A third edition of Yamazaki-50 year old estimated at HK$1,000,000-1,400,000.

Other notable whisky lots include:

• A selection of collectable Bowmore including the first and second edition of Black Bowmore-1964, estimated at HK$130,000 to 180,000 and various bottling from the same year;
• The largest Macallan Fine & Rare offering, spanning seven decades over 20 bottles from vintages between 1937 and 1991, and with an estimate ranging from HK$55,000 to HK$260,000; and,
• Old and rare whiskies from the most legendary Italian independent bottlers including Laphroaig-1970-14 year-#4367 from Samaroli (estimated at HK$20,000 to 26,000), and a selection from Moon, Sestante and Silver Seal.

Auction Details Fine and Rare Whisky 

Bonhams Hong Kong Gallery Suite 2001, One Pacific Place, Admiralty Friday 16 November at 10:30am

Specialist: Daniel Lam, Director of Wine & Whisky, Asia

Tel: +852 2918 4321; E: winehk@bonhams.com

 About Bonhams 

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 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.

Hi folks, that’s us live with the 91st auction! Happy bidding!

Happy Bidding!