On April 18th, Sotheby’s in Hong Kong successfully closed the auction of foreign wine and spirits for three days in a row, with a total turnover of HK$ 120 million, far exceeding the high valuation of HK$ 95 million, and almost all 1153 lots were sold. The first live auction of spirits in Asia achieved impressive results, and the Black Bowmore collection showcase was the highest bid, which was won by an Asian private collector for HK$ 4,375,000. In addition, a 25-liter bottle of Guizhou Moutai specially made for the centennial celebration in 2015 was sold for HK$ 437,500 (estimated value: HK$ 80,000-HK$ 260,000).
Black Bowmore collection showcase refreshes Bowmore auction record. The showcase was designed and made by the award-winning craftsman John Galvin. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Islay Development Initiative (IDI), which will contribute to the cultural heritage of the Island where Bowmore Distillery is located.
The auction of Liu Luanxiong cellared wines (Part II) was held on the first day. Following the success of the first part of the auction last year, it won the "White Gloves" again. All the lots were sold, with a total turnover of HK$ 52.6 million, twice the pre-auction valuation, and nearly 90% of the lots exceeded the high valuation.
In 1985, six bottles of Vosne-Romanee Cros Parantoux Henrijayer were sold for HK$ 2,000,000, twice the pre-auction estimate (estimate: HK$ 600,000–HK$ 850,000).
Adam Bilbey, head of Sotheby’s Asia region, said: "The Black Bowmore collection showcase is undoubtedly the star of this season. This handicraft that combines famous whisky brewing and design has attracted much attention in the preview. Throughout this season’s auction, whether it is foreign wine or spirits, young collectors join the market and attract attention. They compete with senior collectors for top wines. "
In addition, a bottle of The Macallan The Red Collection is 50 years old, and it is one of the six bottles of Red Collection launched in 2020, with a transaction price of HK$ 687,500. The transaction of Japanese whisky attracted attention, and the products produced by closed wineries, Karuizawa and Yusheng, were sought after, including a set of ten bottles of gold-medal whisky in Karuizawa’s "Malt Madman Competition", which was sold at HK$ 937,500.
In addition, the total turnover of rare and excellent wines reached HK$ 54.2 million, with a turnover rate of 99.5%. Among them, the highest lot was 12 bottles, and the original wooden box Romannikondi winery series in 1978 was sold for HK$ 875,000. The large bottle lot won the second highest auction lot: a bottle of six liters was sold for HK$ 812,500 in 1985 by Romano Nicotti Latache; Produced by legendary winemaker Henri Jayer, the year spanned from 1970s to 1990s, among which 12 bottles of Echezeaux Henri Jayer for Georges Jayer were sold for HK$ 562,500 in 1989.
Written by Southern Reporter Zheng Haihong
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