Bonhams is a high-end auctioneer bringing the finest examples of Japanese whisky to auction. This of course means that Yamazaki is included. As each sale of the 55 year old continues to make headlines here are several examples estimated in the millions for a variety of the label in auction titled Fine & Rare Wines and Whisky. The auction concludes May 20, 2022 in Hong Kong.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means the name Yamazaki attracts the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Many rare bottles of whisky now cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Collectors with a passion to own a rare bottle for years frequently have to compete directly against investors whose only desire is to make a profit in the future.

The 55 year old release has been setting records with each sale, however the Yamazaki 50 year old first release is also in this auction and there were only 50 bottles produced in the 2005 release. (Image from Bonhams)

Yamazaki 50-Year-Old First Release with an estimate of 3,500,000 to 4,500,000 HKD which is $382,183.00 to $573,274.00 USD rounded to the dollar. Bonhams said of this lot:

The Yamazaki 50-Year-Old First Release is now the second-oldest expression by the distillery, just after the 55-Year-Old released – in 100 bottles – and set the new auction record for a single bottle of Japanese whisky at Bonhams in 2020 for HK$6,200,000. Another bottle of Yamazaki 55-Year-Old, including a miniature 50ml sample, will be offered in the May sale, with an estimate of HK$4,000,000-5,000,000.

6,200,000 HKD is $828,087.00 USD rounded to the dollar and the estimate in the current auction of 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 HKD is $509,592.00 to $636,990.00 USD.

Here are some of the other key bottles and their estimates in this Bonhams auction:

• Bowmore 1955 in Ceramic Jug. One of the most iconic Bowmore with only 100 half-bottles ever produced. Estimate: HK$150,000-200,000 which is $19,110.00 to $25,480.00 USD rounded to the dollar.
• Tormore Samaroli-1966. An ultra-rare and prestigious sherry-wooded whisky from the legendary Italian bottler. Estimate: HK$180,000-250,000 which is $22,932.00 to $31,849.00 USD rounded to the dollar.
• Laphroaig Osteria Apostoli-1970-#4367. Arguably the best Laphroaig ever produced. Estimate: HK$180,000-250,000 which is $22,932.00 to $31,849.00 USD rounded to the dollar.

Highlights from the wine section include:

• A full case of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 2000. Estimate: HK$120,000-160,000 which is $15,286.00 to $20,381.00 USD rounded to the dollar.
• 3 bottles of Krug d’Ambonnay 1995. Estimate: HK$ 60,000-80,000 which is $7,643.00 to $10,191.00 USD rounded to the dollar.
• A mixed lot of various vintages Sylvain Cathiard’s Vosne-Romanée Malconsorts. Estimate: HK$34,000-38,000 which is $4,331.00 to $4,841.00 USD rounded to dollar.