Young collectors active in Bonhams HK wine and spirit sale

Bonhams Hong Kong’s ‘Fine and Rare Wine & Whisky’ sale was the city’s first auction held behind closed doors, with Japanese whiskies performing best and young collectors actively participating.

The auction was staged behind closed doors with live bids coming in online, by phone and in written form. The bidders were from 22 countries, spanning Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and America. Young collectors were prevalent, with most half of the top lots being purchased by bidders under 40 years old.

The top two lots were the ‘Ghost Series’ whisky collection, with 11 bottles (sold for HK$967,200) and 16 bottles of Yamazaki & Hakushu Vintage Malt from vintage 1979 to 1994 (sold for HK$682,000).

Other highlights included Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Joker ‘Monochrome’ and Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Joker ‘Colour’ (sold for HK$446,400), Hibiki ceramic 35-year-old Tokuda Yasokichi III (sold for HK$347,200) and Karuizawa 1964 #3603 (sold for HK$322,400).

The wine lots also proved popular. 12 bottles of Armand Rousseau Chambertin Vertical (1998 – 2009) had realized HK$272,800. A bottle of Musigny 1994, Domaine Leroy, and three bottles of Château Le Pin 2004 as well as Pomerol magnums, were sold for HK$ 93,000 and HK$173,600 respectively.

Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ Director of Wine & Spirits, Asia, said: “We are pleased to see that the market is active. Japanese whisky, a category already trending over the past few years, shows strong resilience under the current climate, commanding prices in line with high estimates.

“This solid sale was encouraged by strong, global biddings from 22 countries, especially those from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Mainland China. Meanwhile, young collectors under 40 years old continue to increase, in terms of both numbers (they account for nearly half of the sale’s bidders) and buying power (the top two lots of the sale – both Japanese whisky sets – sold to young collectors).’