Japanese whisky dominates Bonhams HK auction

Yamazaki 50 year old has set a new world record at HK$306,250, beating a previous sale of HK$257,250.

Bottled in 2011 after 50 years spent aging in a Japanese oak cask, the Yamazaki is one of only 150 bottles produced, and sold above the high estimate of HK$230,000 at its recent auction in Hong Kong, Bonhams said.

Altogether, the auction house sold over HK$2.7m worth of whisky with the top lot being a 13-bottle set of a Hanyu Ichiro Spades Collection which fetched HK$343,000 above the estimate of HK$300,000.

Four of the top 10 lots were Japanese whiskies, including three bottles from Karuizawa, a distillery which closed in 2001, and separately a 1967 Karuizawa which went for HK$183,750 up from its estimate of HK$55,000.

Elsewhere, three bottles of 57, 60 and 62 year old limited edition Macallan in Lalique crystal decanters sold for HK$306,250 each and a 50 year old Dalmore Candela fetched HK$196,000.

The Ace of Spades… the Hanyu Ichiro Spades collection