MACALLAN-1991 CASK ACHIEVES WORLD RECORD PRICE AT BONHAMS – Scotch Whisky News
MACALLAN-1991 CASK ACHIEVES WORLD RECORD PRICE AT BONHAMS
The cask yielding 202 bottles sells for HK$4,464,000
The highest per-bottle price (HK$22,099) for any whisky cask at auction
Bonhams Fine and Rare Whisky Sale
– Sell-through rate: 88%
– Sale total: HK$24.5million, eclipsing the pre-sale high estimate
– Karuizawa and Yamazaki whiskies 100% sold
Bonhams Hong Kong whisky sale year-to-date total (incl. wine):
HK$80.5milion – surpassing the same period in 2019 (HK$67million)
A cask of Macallan-1991-#21429-18/029/1
Distilled 12th December 1991 at the Macallan Distillers Limited, Craigellachie.
Sold for HK$4,464,000
Estimate: HK$3,200,000-4,000,000
Commenting on the result, Daniel Lam, Bonhams Director of Wine and Spirits, Asia, said: “In terms of both buying and selling, 2021 has been a strong and resilient market for whisky. Our year-to-date total has surpassed that for the same period before Covid in 2019. Cask collecting is fast growing as a trend and one which has become a Bonhams speciality. In 2019, we set a world record when we sold a Macallan 1989 cask for a per-bottle price of HK$17,103. The cask in this sale has achieved a per-bottle price of HK$22,099 – and a new world record – a very strong increase in just two years. Meanwhile, Japanese whisky continues to be a hotly-contested field, with Yamazaki and Karuizawa lots 100% sold in our sale. The announcement that the final editions of Karuizawa whisky will be released later this year has fuelled demand.”
Whisky casks hitting 30 years old or above are exceedingly rare in the current market. Distilled by Macallan in December 1991, this 1991 cask was re-racked in 2017 with sherry. Sherry is the preferred choice of wood to give whisky a unique impact of clove, resin, dried fruit and tannin – a sweet palate which most drinkers will find approachable. Its high alcohol content at around 51.5% ABV makes it a highly desirable choice for both long-term collecting and for eventually yielding around 202 bottles for enjoyment.
Browse all results here:
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/27039/
Sale: Fine and Rare Whisky20 August 202120/F, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong
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
