A Bottle of Yamazaki 50 Year Single Malt Set Records in an Auction
Justin Lam — January 30, 2018 — Luxury
References: thedrinksbusiness & hypebeast
Japanese whiskey is the current craze in the collector alcohol market, but the recent sale of Yamazaki 50 year-old single malt broke records at an auction in Hong Kong. Selling for HK$2.3 million -- equivalent to $298,879 USD -- this rare bottle sold for more than twice the estimated amount. This bottle was the most expensive sold during the auction and came from a private collection of an anonymous aficionado. Produced by Suntory, and made by Japan's oldest distillery, the Yamazaki 50 year-old single malt was part of a limited run of bottles released in 2011.
This record setting bottle further cements the craze surrounding Japanese whiskies and further pushes the appeal of these whiskies in an ever growing collector market. This sale also shows the growing luxury alcohol market in Asia. Hong Kong has always been a hub for Eastern and Western connections, but with this sale, the whiskey craze seems to have arrived in China. Other sales made during this auction included ten bottles of 1976 Richebourg from Henri Jayer, a decanter of Macallan’s 50 year-old 1949 and another Japanese whiskey, a 1964 Karuizawa.
This record setting bottle further cements the craze surrounding Japanese whiskies and further pushes the appeal of these whiskies in an ever growing collector market. This sale also shows the growing luxury alcohol market in Asia. Hong Kong has always been a hub for Eastern and Western connections, but with this sale, the whiskey craze seems to have arrived in China. Other sales made during this auction included ten bottles of 1976 Richebourg from Henri Jayer, a decanter of Macallan’s 50 year-old 1949 and another Japanese whiskey, a 1964 Karuizawa.
Trend Themes
1. Japanese Whiskey Craze - The increasing popularity of Japanese whiskey in the collector alcohol market presents opportunities for distilleries to create unique and rare releases to satisfy consumer demand.
2. Luxury Alcohol Market in Asia - The growing luxury alcohol market in Asia, demonstrated by the record-breaking whiskey sale in Hong Kong, opens up opportunities for premium distilleries and luxury brands to expand their presence in this lucrative market.
3. Whiskey Collecting Frenzy in China - The whiskey frenzy spreading to China, as seen by the high-priced whiskey sales during the auction, creates opportunities for importers, distributors, and local distilleries to tap into the growing demand for premium spirits.
Industry Implications
1. Distilleries - Distilleries specializing in Japanese whiskey can leverage the current craze by producing limited and rare bottlings to cater to the collector alcohol market.
2. Luxury Brands - Luxury brands can capitalize on the growing luxury alcohol market in Asia by partnering with renowned distilleries to release exclusive and high-priced whiskey editions, appealing to affluent consumers.
3. Importers and Distributors - Importers and distributors can seize the opportunity presented by the whiskey collecting frenzy in China by bringing in popular and rare whiskey brands to meet the increasing demand in this emerging market.
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