Bonhams’ latest online whisky sale targets at budding collectors

From 15 to 22 February, Bonhams is offering 180 lots of Japanese and Scotch whiskies as part of an online sale with an aim to attract young, budding collectors with estimated prices starting from as low as HK$3,000 (US$390) to just over HK$300,000 (US$38,600).

The whiskies on offer comprise some of the most sought-after distilleries including Yamazaki, Karuizawa and Bowmore. In this sale, Bonhams says that, “many of the estimates are lower than the current market price”.

Daniel Lam, Bonhams’ director of Wine & Spirits, Asia, commented: “Whisky collecting has become a lifestyle trend for not only the connoisseurs but also for the younger generation across the world. We have seen more new collectors coming in than ever: one in every five bidders in our worldwide whisky sales over the last two years was a new bidder.

‘With this in mind, we have curated this online sale to offer not the high-ticket star bottles, but instead a wide range of editions from popular distilleries at friendly price points. We hope that first-time buyers can find in this sale an entrance to start their whisky collection.’

The highlights estimated under HK$20,000 (US$2,600) a bottle include Yoichi 1984 #252986, Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt-Joker ‘Colour’ and Lagavulin 1991 ‘Feis Ile’ 2015.

Moving up the bracket to under HK$100,000 (US$13,000), we see Karuizawa Yashiro 1971 37 year-old, Yamazaki Mizunara 1986 #6G5029, Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt The Game 1st Edition.

At the peak, the lots under HK$400,000 (US$52,000) include Karuizawa 1965 #8852, Karuizawa 1964 #3603 and Black Bowmore 1964 (2nd Edition).

2019 marks the 10th anniversary for Bonhams’ whisky sales in Asia. Bonhams wine and whisky departments worldwide reported sales of £16 million in 2019. Some of the star auction lots sold included Hanyu Ichiro’s Full Card Series in 54 bottles, which was sold last August for a new record HK$7,192,000 (US$917,000), and a rare 30 year whisky Sherry hogshead cask from the famed Macallan Distillery, which achieved a new world auction record for a whisky cask at HK$4,464,000 (US$572,000).

The auction house has also announced the forthcoming Fine & Rare Wine and Whisky sale will be held on 15 May in Hong Kong.