NEWS
TWO EXTREMELY RARE JAPANESE WHISKY WILL GO UNDER THE HAMMER
By Staff Reporter
12-5-2026
Source: Bonhams
Two exceptionally rare, ultra-aged Japanese whiskies—headlined by the oldest Karuizawa expression ever released—will go under the hammer at a live auction in Hong Kong later this month, presented by international auction house Bonhams.
Scheduled for 30 May at Bonhams’ Hong Kong saleroom in Pacific Place, Wan Chai, the highly anticipated sale will feature two landmark bottles: a bespoke Yamazaki 50-Year-Old created exclusively for Japan’s prestigious Club Natsume, and an extraordinary Karuizawa 52-Year-Old distilled in 1960, known widely as the “Treasure Ship” edition.
The auction takes place amid surging global demand for top-tier Japanese spirits, underscored earlier this year when two casks of Karuizawa sold for a record-breaking £4.25 million (USD 6.1m) at Christie’s Wine and Spirit auction—becoming the most valuable lots ever sold in that sale category.
Both whiskies are projected to command multi-million-dollar bids in Hong Kong dollars. The one-of-a-kind Yamazaki 50-Year-Old carries a pre-sale estimate of HKD2.8 million to HKD4.2 million (USD357,560 to USD536,360), while the Karuizawa 52-Year-Old is expected to fetch between HKD2.2 million and HKD3.2 million.
“We are deeply privileged to handle two whiskies of such extraordinary rarity and historical importance,” commented Terrence Tang, Bonhams’ Head of Wine and Spirits, Asia. “Opportunities to acquire two whiskies of this caliber at a single auction are extremely rare. Each bottle represents a defining chapter in the evolution of Japanese whisky.
“The inclusion of these iconic bottles reinforces Bonhams’ leading position in the global rare wine and spirits market, and is a centrepiece of our exceptional five-auction fine wine and spirits series this season.”
Widely considered one of the rarest Japanese whiskies ever made, the Yamazaki 50-Year-Old has only been officially released three times by Suntory—in 2005, 2007, and 2011. Its status is second only to the distillery’s legendary 55-Year-Old, which set a Japanese whisky record when it sold for HKD6.2 million at Bonhams Hong Kong in 2020.
This particular bottling was custom-produced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Club Natsume, an exclusive private members’ club in Nagoya with deep connections to the city’s business and political elite. It features a unique washi paper label and bears the signature of Shinji Fukuyo, Suntory’s Chief Blender.
The second star lot, the 1960 Karuizawa 52-Year-Old Cask #5627, is officially recognized as the oldest Karuizawa whisky ever bottled.
Founded in 1955, the Karuizawa distillery was situated in Japan’s Southern Alps, where a distinctive microclimate—cold winters, hot summers, and high humidity—shaped the whisky’s rich, structured flavour profile.
Ceasing production in 2000, Karuizawa has since become one of the most coveted names in luxury whisky.
Only 41 bottles of this 52-Year-Old “Treasure Ship” edition were produced. Each bottle is adorned with a hand-carved antique netsuke ornament around the neck and made its debut at the 2013 Whisky Live Tokyo International Bar Show.
Crafted with exceptional attention to Japanese artisanal tradition, the packaging includes handmade paper, classic calligraphy, and a custom wooden display case inspired by traditional Japanese puzzle boxes.
(the writer can be contacted at: info@thewinechronicle.com)
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
**IF YOU THINK THE WINE CHRONICLE IS WORTH SUPPORTING, PLEASE MAKE A DONATION TO HELP US IMPROVE AND CONTINUE OUR WORK**
TRENDING│ FOCUS│ MISSION│ ABOUT US│ CONTACT
| 