RETURN OF A TWO-TIME WORLD-RECORD SETTER

BONHAMS PRESENTS HANYU ICHIRO’S FULL CARD SERIES WHISKY FROM THE CLUB QING COLLECTION

– Full set to be offered in 54 individual bottles –

Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series whisky from Club Qing (four of the 54 bottles)

Link to catalogue: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26249/

The renowned Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series whisky – currently the world’s most expensive set of Japanese whisky ever sold at auction – will once again go under the hammer at Bonhams Hong Kong sale of ‘Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky’ on 20 November.

On offer this time is the reputable collection from Club Qing, a world-acclaimed whisky bar in Hong Kong specialising in Japanese whisky and rare old Scotch whisky, founded by Mr. Aaron Chan in 2015. Over the past five years, this collection has been admired as a centerpiece in the bar and a destination piece by thousands of whisky aficionados from around the globe.

Mr. Aaron Chan formed his collection over a decade prior to the bar’s opening, sourcing each of the 54 bottles globally before they became available in the auction market. Among his collection on offer is the market debut of ultra-rare first-edition bottles, including:

·         Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-King of Diamonds, 1 of 124 bottles (est: HK$ 300,000 – 500,000)

·         Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Jack of Clubs, 1 of 124 bottles (est: HK$ 250,000 – 350,000)

·         Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Queen of Hearts, 1 of 125 bottles (est: HK$ 250,000 – 350,000)

·         Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Ace of Spades, 1 of 122 bottles (est: HK$ 300,000 – 500,000)

Founded in 1941 by Isouji Akuto, a 19^th generation descendant of a long line of sake brewers to produce Scotch-style malt whisky, the Hanyu distillery ceased production in 2000. But not before Ichiro Akuto, grandson of Isouji, stepped in to secure the 400 premium whisky casks left from the distillery. An avid whisky lover like his grandfather, Ichiro personally selected the prized amber liquid to be bottled for each ‘card’ released between 2005 and 2014, ensuring that the Hanyu legend lives on.

In 2012, Bonhams was the first-ever auction house to present individual bottles from the Series. In August 2015, a complete Hanyu Full Card Series appeared to the market for the first time at Bonhams’ Hong Kong sale, setting the world auction record for the most valuable Japanese whisky collection. Four years later, in 2019, the record was smashed by another Full Card Series, which sold again at Bonhams Hong Kong for a staggering price of HK$7,192,00.

Unlike the two previous offers as one single lot, this collection from Club Qing will be presented as 54 individual lots / bottles.

Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ Director of Wine & Spirits, Asia, commented: “For years, this collection has been the most visible Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series in the world, and its provenance from the esteemed Club Qing whisky bar is unmatched in the market. The collection will be offered in individual lots/ bottles, meaning a perfect opportunity for collectors to acquire specific editions to complete their own Card Series.” 

Aaron Chan, founder of Club Qing, commented: “Behind each bottle is a unique story. I am delighted to offer my 54 ‘cards’ in individual bottles, so that more whisky collectors are able to participate, appreciate, and perhaps even form their own collection of the Card Series.”

A video interview with Mr. Aaron Chan can be viewed HERE .

Other whisky highlights from the sale include:

·         Dalmore Selene-1951-58 year old (est: HK$ 600,000 – 80,000)

·         Macallan Lalique Six Pillars-50 to 65 year old, six decanters (est: HK$ 4,500,000 – 5,500,000)

·         Glenrothes-50 year old (est: HK$ 230,000 – 300,000)

Bonhams Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky Sale will take place over two days from 20 to 21 November. Other highlights of the two-day sale include The Collection of A-1 Fine Wines – one of the most encyclopaedic wine collections in Asia­. Please see separate press release – available via the image links below – for full details.

Fine and Rare Wine and Whisky

Auction date: 20 – 21 November

The Club Qing Collection of Hanyu Full Card Series will be offered on 20 November

The Collection of A-1 Fine Wines will be offered on 21 November

Auction venue: Bonhams Hong Kong Saleroom, 20/F, One Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong

About Bonhams  

Bonhams currently holds three world auction records in the whisky category, namely:

·         World auction record for a Japanese whisky collection

Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series (in 54 bottles)

Sold for of HK$7,192,000 (US$ 922,000)

August 2019

·         World auction record for a whisky cask

Refill European Sherry Hogshead Cask from Macallan Distillery

Sold for HK$4,464,000 (US$572,000)

November 2019

·         World auction record for a bottle of Japanese whisky

Yamazaki-55 Year

Sold for HK$6,200,000 (US$795,000)

August 2020

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

Golden Dram Volume 2:
Win an exclusive hand-filled bottle of Bunnahabhain 40 Year Old!

Golden Dram is back! And this time it’s even bigger and better with Bunnahabhain Single Malt Scotch.

For Golden Dram Vol. 2, we’ve hidden a bottle of Bunnahabhain 40 Year Old Hand-Filled Exclusive to be found in either one of our Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old or Bunnahabhain Toiteacha A Dha boxes. With a one in 300 chance to win, today could be your lucky day to get your hands on a bottle of this highly-limited golden dram!

A truly special one-off, this bespoke liquid was selected from sherry casks by Master Blender Julieann Fernandez. Unlike other 40 Year Old expressions from Bunnahabhain, only 3 of these hand-filled beauties have been bottled. Ever. Make no mistake, this exclusive Bunnahabhain 40 Year Old is the epitome of liquid gold.

To enter: simply buy a bottle of either the award-winning Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old or Bunnahabhain Toiteach A Dhá online (both currently on sale!) and you could find the golden dram in your order…

Win or lose, you’ll be gaining a brand new bottle of delicious whisky, plus we’re giving away a free Bunnahabhain branded glass with each purchase for you to sip your Scotch in style. So, what are you waiting for? Enter now while stocks last!

Entrants must be 18 years and over; read the full T&Cs here.

DIAGEO 2020 SPECIAL RELEASES

SHIPPING NOW

Rare by Nature

THE SPECIAL RELEASES are a limited annual collection of highly sought after and collectable, natural cask strength Scotch Whiskies from the original distillers. The 2020 Special Releases brings together 8 natural cask strength, rare and quirky Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. By shining a spotlight on selected distilleries from fabled ‘ghosts’ to unusual and experimental expressions of world-renowned brands, the Special Releases brings collectors and connoisseurs unique access to rare liquids in an impactful, modern and approachable way.

SINGLETON 17 YEAR OLD

A first release purely from refill American Oak casks, this is a spicier expression of the smooth Singleton Dufftown distillery character, in which the signature grassy fruitiness is still present, especially if water is added.

£109.95

TALISKER 8 YEAR OLD

A Talisker with a great deal of the expected maritime distillery character and a delightful twist of sweetness from the Caribbean rum cask finish.

£89.95

MORTLACH 21 YEAR OLD

Magnificent in every way, this is a fine Mortlach further enhanced by gentle secondary maturation. Very fine to drink straight and also with a small dash of water.

£574.95

LAGAVULIN 12 YEAR OLD

A 12 Year Old Lagavulin chosen for its purity of cask expression alone and a true individual; smooth textured and soaring in taste and intensity, with a long and deeply smoky finish.

£124.95

CARDHU 11 YEAR OLD

A unique expression of Cardhu, from refill casks and new and ex-bourbon fresh-charred American Oak hogsheads, which holds the Cardhu gentleness and richness in a spicy embrace but still allows that gentleness to be found, especially with water.

£84.95

CRAGGANMORE 20 YEAR OLD

An appetising Cragganmore, with the expected complex aromas and smooth Speyside character, while the rich, sweet  taste is also unusually intense and wood-spiced after part-ageing in new oak casks.

£129.95

DALWHINNIE 3O YEAR OLD

A fine Dalwhinnie with astonishing intensity for its age; even more vibrant and warming than will be expected from younger expressions, and easiest to enjoy with a drop of water.

£549.95

PITTYVAICH 30 YEAR OLD

A unique expression of a ‘ghost’ malt from a closed distillery, this is a spectacular and delicious Pittyvaich, the only one ever  released to have been finished in ex-bourbon casks, which  impart real richness of taste and sweetness of character.

£399.95

2020 SPECIAL RELEASE COMPLETE COLLECTION

The complete Diageo 2020 Special Release collection. All puchases of The Complete Collection will also receive a free Johnnie Walker Game Of Thrones Miniature Tasting Pack.

£2,064.60

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 346: Glenfiddich 19 Year Old Madeira Cask Finish

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky vlogger, tries a finished Glenfiddich. A few years ago Glenfiddich launched their so-called Age of Discovery series consisting of three releases of a 19 years old Glenfiddich finished on a specific type of cask: Madeira, bourbon and red wine. The Madeira cask finish hit all the right spots!

https://youtu.be/T_QWB9AVSHI

SPECIALITY BRANDS BOLSTERS WORLD WHISKY OFFERING
WITH DRUMSHANBO SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY

Premium spirits agency Speciality Brands has signed an exclusive deal with The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney to distribute its first global whiskey release: Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, in the UK.
The new addition is joining Speciality Brands’ extensive, premium world whiskies portfolio which already includes Nikka from Japan, Michter’s from Kentucky, Kavalan from Taiwan and Irish Single Malt Waterford.

For the last decade, the Irish whiskey category has enjoyed exponential growth gathering consumer interest worldwide. Global Irish whiskey sales grew by +10.9% in 2019 and the UK remains one of its leading export markets accounting for over 4.2 million litres in volume (1).

The Shed Distillery, also home to Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Ireland’s leading gin export brand, has created an authentic, Irish single pot still whiskey with great provenance to appeal to enthusiasts globally. Every drop of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is slow-distilled by hand at The Shed Distillery, with Head Distiller Brian Taft tasting and hand-selecting every single cask, guaranteeing absolute consistency in each bottle.

(1) Source: Irish Spirits Market Report 2019, Drinks Ireland

The Shed Distillery opened in December 2014 in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, in the heart of rural Ireland, making history as the first distillery in the Northwestern province of Connacht in over 100 years.

Head Distiller, Brian Taft says: “Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a well-balanced whiskey, which dances effortlessly between sweet and spice, possessing a full, well-rounded creamy mouthfeel that lingers lightly on the tongue.”

“We’re delighted to add Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey to our world whisky portfolio as we’ve been looking to add a traditional Irish pot still whiskey to our range for some time. Provenance is really important to us and the fact that Drumshanbo is 100% hand-distilled and aged at the Shed Distillery is setting it apart from many other brands coming out of Ireland that simply don’t have this level of control or traceability.” Says Chris Seale, Managing Director, Speciality Brands.

Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (70cl, 43% ABV) launches this month and will be available at selected retailers – RRP £50.

Notes:

Tasting Notes:

Toasted nuts, vanilla, honeysuckle and toffee notes open on the nose, followed by winter spice, redcurrant, almonds and dark chocolate. The whiskey showcases a creamy, full-bodied mouthfeel with unexpected depth.

About Speciality Brands:

Speciality Brands is a premium drinks agency representing some of the world’s finest spirits, including Nikka, Kavalan, Michter’s, Diplomático, Cocchi, Beluga, Black Tot rum and Tapatio. A dedicated team of well-respected drinks industry personalities including award-winning mixologists, top brand ambassadors, experienced account managers and marketing experts is led by Managing Director Chris Seale. The agency’s passion is delivering first class products, in-depth educational trainings and impeccable service levels to the premium on-trade and retail sectors.

About The Shed Distillery:

The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney is the first distillery in Connacht in over 101 years & the home of Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka & other ambitious super-premium ‘Curious’ The Shed Distillery brands. A new €3 million Shed Distillery Visitor Experience has also just opened (September 2020) at the Leitrim distillery, inviting visitors from across the globe into the inner sanctum of the authentic whiskey distillery and on an adventure following in footsteps of PJ Rigney’s Curious Botanical Trail to the Far East, which inspired his now world-famous Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin. Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is the flagship whiskey release from The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney in Drumshanbo Co. Leitrim. Every bottle is slow-distilled by hand, sealed and labelled by the proud team at the distillery.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin launched in summer 2016 – it is now in over 60 countries across the world, including every US state, Australia, Hong Kong, Russia, South Africa and the majority of European countries. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and other The Shed Distillery brands are slow-distilled by hand, hand-bottled, sealed and labelled by the proud team at The Shed Distillery.

The Whisky Shop Auctions Presents:
Doddie Weir’s Charity Whisky Auction

Rugby legend, Doddie Weir, is leading the charge against Motor Neurone Disease. Finding a cure is his focus, and positivity his greatest pill.

Now celebrating its third year running, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was founded by Doddie in 2017 – following his diagnosis with MND – and set up to raise funds to aid research into the causes of Motor Neuron Disease and investigate potential cures.

The Whisky Shop Auctions is delighted to host Doddie’s Whisky Auction online from Wednesday 11th November to Sunday 22nd November, where a wonderful collection of unique and highly sought-after bottles will come under the hammer to raise funds for Doddie’s charity, including treasures from The Dalmore, Littlemill, Glenfiddich and many, many more.

The site is now live and ready for whisky fans to view and learn more about the foundation, the auction, and about Doddie himself, featuring an exclusive interview from Whiskeria magazine back in the summer of this year.

The page will be continuously updated to include bottle highlights in this very special auction, including the lots pictured above.

Learn more about Doddie’s Charity Whisky Auction ›

Introducing the second release of the Ian Hunter Story series: a non-chill filtered Whisky with sweet Sherry notes underscored by Laphroaig‘s characteristic peatiness, aged for 30 years in Spanish Oak Oloroso Sherry casks.

Set into a beautifully crafted book that will document a part of Ian’s rich legacy. Every year a new chapter will be told, uncovering the extensive history behind Laphroaig and the characters who created it, making this a collection unlike any other, and one that is treasured by Laphroaig fans across the world.

The second book of the five-part story starts with Warehouse No.1. With the different cask types being brought by Ian Hunter, including ex-bourbon barrels and Sherry cask, Ian recognised the need for more capacity to house them. Ian selected the location by the Atlantic shore that would have its influence on the casks and planned a five-phased extension between 1910 and 1924.

£749.95

ADD TO BASKET

TASTING NOTES

NOSE

Dried dates and figs, cigar box with toffee and dark chocolate, liquorice with medicinal notes, pink peppercorns and all spice.

Adding water brings out pipe tobacco and orange peel.

PALATE

Manuka honey; sweet, smoked stone fruit.

FINISH

Long and mouth drying.

COLOUR

Burnt umber

TyndrumWhisky.com

Brings you

Kilchoman

New Cask Strength for Machir Bay, with a Christmas twist is back in stock, but don’t wait long, we can’t see it lasting. Before reducing a batch of their Machir Bay to its regular bottling strength of 46%, this release was bottled at cask strength to appreciate the full power and character of Kilchoman’s core range whisky. Machir Bay, named after Islay’s most spectacular beach, is a vatting of Kilchoman matured in both bourbon and sherry casks. The high proportion of bourbon barrels creates a unique balance of aromatic peat smoke, citrus sweetness and tropical fruit. This limited edition Cask Strength Machir Bay is released for the festive season. Before reducing a batch of their Machir Bay to its regular bottling strength of 46%, this release was bottled at cask strength to appreciate the full power and character of Kilchoman’s core range whisky.

Order Now >

ralfy review 849 Extras – GlenDronachology