Bonhams Hong Kong Sets World Auction Record for Japanese Whisky

At Bonhams Hong Kong, a unique bottle of Yamazaki 50-Year-Old whisky, crafted for Club Natsume, sold for HK$8,250,000 (around US$1,050,000), nearly doubling its top estimate of HK$2,800,000–4,200,000 and setting a new world record for Japanese whisky at auction. This sale occurred during The Legendary Japanese Whisky auction, where a Karuizawa 52 Year Old Cask #5627 from 1960, called Treasure Ship, also exceeded expectations, fetching HK$6,250,000 (about US$797,000) against an estimate of HK$2,200,000–3,200,000. Together, the two bottles brought in HK$14.5 million. Bonhams now holds the record for the three highest prices for Japanese whisky sold at international auctions, with intense bidding for the Yamazaki involving three dedicated collectors.