Yamazaki 55 Years Old sells for HK$6.2m at auction

Bonhams Hong Kong has set a new record for the most expensive Japanese whisky sold at auction after a bottle of Yamazaki 55 Years Old sold for HK$6.2 million (US$795,000).

The expression is the oldest Japanese whisky to date and smashed its pre-sale estimate of HK$580,000-HK$780,000 (US$74,834-US$100,640).

Suntory launched the single malt whisky in June this year through a customer lottery system. The whisky was only available to customers in Japan.

Yamazaki 55 Years Old  (46% ABV) was distilled in the 1960s and is limited to 100 bottles. It was matured in a Japanese mizunara oak cask in 1960, and transferred into a white oak cask in 1964.

Daniel Lam, director of wine and whisky, Asia, said: “The stunning price sets a new milestone for the market of Japanese whisky, testament to collectors’ desire and determination to acquire the very best the market has to offer.

“We are pleased to see a keen demand for Scotch whisky in today’s sale as well.”