Tuesday, August 12, 2014

BONHAMS HONG KONG PRESENTS ASIA'S LARGEST JAPANESE WHISKY AUCTION

Bonhams Hong Kong, pioneer of whisky auctions in the city, once again takes pole position by offering the largest sale of Japanese whisky in Asia. The Rare Single Malt Whisky Auction will take place on 15th August 2014 at 7pm at the new Bonhams Hong Kong Gallery located at Suite 2001 in One Pacific Place, Admiralty.
 
With global appreciation and demand for rare Japanese single malts reaching an all-time high, Bonhams Hong Kong has amassed 200 lots of this new liquid gold for an unprecedented sale that will see connoisseurs vying for their favourite malts.


 Yamazaki 50 year old - only 150 bottles released worldwide

Leading the sale are legendary collections from the silent Japanese distilleries of Karuizawa and Hanyu which ceased production in 2001 and 2000 respectively. A comprehensive range of over 170 bottles of Karuizawa whisky will be presented, including the impressive collection of Karuizawa - Non distilled in years 1981, 1982, 1983, 1989, 1994 and 1999; the Karuizawa Geisha series; Karuizawa vertical years ranging from year 1969 to 1995; the Karuizawa black and white series and the extremely rare Karuizawa-1965-21 year old in a crystal decanter.
 
The renowned and award-winning Hanyu Ichiro's 'Playing Card Series' is highly sought after by Japanese whisky enthusiasts around the world, with the 'full deck' collection rarely seen in the market. For this sale, Bonhams offers the most comprehensive collection of Hanyu Ichiro's Playing Cards whisky in the auction history of Hong Kong. Highlights include Six Full House with Six of Hearts, Six of Diamonds, Six of Spades, Five of Hearts and Five of Diamonds, and a set of Royal Flush with Ace of Clubs, Two of Clubs, Three of Clubs, Four of Clubs and Five of Clubs.
 
Continuing the success of the whisky sale in May 2014, Bonhams once again presents the highly collectible Yamazaki 50 year old. With only 150 bottles released worldwide, the Yamazaki 50 year old is the rarest and oldest Japanese single malt whisky of all time, and the true connoisseur's dream.
 
Highlights of the auction include:

1 Karuizawa 1965 21yr  Decanter - est. HK$85,000-HK$105,000
2 Bottles, Karuizawa 1967 Black 45yr & Karuizawa 1968 White 45yr - est. HK$70,000-HK$80,000
6 Bottles, Hanyu Ichiro's Malt Card - Six Full House - est. HK$60,000-HK$80,000
6 Bottles, Hanyu Ichiro's Malt Card – Royal Flush - est. HK$90,000-HK$120,00
1 Bottle, Yamazaki 50yr - est. HK$150,000-HK$190,00

In addition to Japanese whisky, 64 lots of rare Scottish single malts are also offered. Leading the selection is the Macallan 55 year old in a Lalique decanter. This whisky combines the mastery of crystal craftsmanship and whisky, with the exquisitely hand crafted Lalique crystal decanter filled with the extraordinarily rare 55 year old Macallan whisky in its celebrated natural colour. Not to be missed are the extremely rare Macallan 1948 – 51 year old and Macallan 1951.

Source: Bonhams