Stories

Whisky is a passion to explore. From the history of the spirit to the evolution of the industry, the story of whisky helps fuel that passion. Often, it’s easy to forget that whisky is also a global multibillion dollar industry. The stories of whisky — from news and new releases to in-depth inquires and what goes on behind the label — blend together to help us appreciate the spirit of whisky.

Status

Japanese Whiskies Dominate Bonhams Hong Kong Auction

This 1963 Karuizawa brought a high bid of $32,249 USD at the Bonhams Hong Kong whisky auction February 6, 2015. Image courtesy Bonhams. February 7, 2015 – While two rare Macallan single malts led the overall bidding, Japanese whiskies dominated the action at Bonhams’ latest whisky auction Friday in Hong Kong. The most recent Macallan Lalique decanter, a 62-year-old expression released in 2013, brought a high bid of HK$325,000 ($41,923 USD), as did the second release in the series, a 55-year-old expression released in 2007. In all, 363 lots went on the block.

There was intense demand for whiskies from the now-closed Karuizawa Distillery in Japan, with the bidding reaching HK$ 250,000 ($32,249 USD) for a 50-year-old Karuizawa distilled in 1963. A 1971 41-year-old Noh series Karuizawa released by Number One Drinks Company in 2013 brought a high bid of HK$ 87,500 ($11,287 USD), while bottlings produced for whisky shows in Tokyo and Taipei also drew interest. A 1968 Karuizawa single cask bottled in 2010 for that year’s Whisky Live Taipei brought a winning bid of HK$ 52,500 ($6,772 USD). A 1982 Kawasaki Sherry Cask bottled for Whisky Live Tokyo in 2011 sold for HK$ 8,125 ($1,048 USD), while the 2012 bottling of a 1999 Yamazaki single cask for Whisky Live Tokyo and the Tokyo International Bar Show sold for HK$ 8,750 ($1,128 USD). The 2013 bottling of a 2000 Karuizawa from the distillery’s final year for the Tokyo shows went for a high bid of HK$ 15,000 ($1,934 USD).

This 4-bottle set of Aces from Ichiro Akuto's Hanyu playing cards series brought a high bid of $25,799 USD at the Bonhams Hong Kong whisky auction February 6, 2015. Image courtesy Bonhams. Hanyu single malts from Ichiro Akuto’s famous “cards” series also were in demand, with a 4-bottle set of the Aces selling for HK$ 200,000 ($25,799 USD) and a single bottle of the Ace of Spades going for HK$ 81,250 ($10,480 USD). A 5-bottle set featuring four Kings and the “5 of Diamonds” brought a winning bid of HK$ 150,000 ($19,349 USD). A pair of the Jokers went for HK$ 118,750 ($15,318 USD).

There was also demand for Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, with a 50-year-old Glenfiddich distilled in 1937 selling for HK$ 181,250 ($23,380) and a variety of whiskies from closed distilleries, including Port Ellen, Rosebank, Brora, and St. Magdalene.

One American whiskey went on the block – a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 20-year-old. It sold for HK$ 17,500 ($2,257 USD).

The next Bonhams auction in Hong Kong is scheduled for May 29, while the next auction in Edinburgh is set for March 11.

Links: Bonhams