Two of the headline heaps that features The Macallan whisky didn’t promote in Bonhams’ on-line public sale in Hong Kong, with Japanese whiskies in its place tempting shoppers.
Neither The Crimson Assortment nor The Attain found new properties all through the sale, which began on 15 November and ended on St Andrew’s Day, the nationwide trip commemorating Scotland’s patron saint, on 30 November.
The Crimson Assortment featured 40, 50, 60, 71, 74, 77 and 78-year-old whiskies, and marked the first time that the seven-bottle set had gone on sale by way of Bonhams.
The gathering carried a pre-sale estimate of between HK$5,000,000 (£503,000) and HK$7,500,000 (£755,000).
The Attain, Macallan’s second-oldest launch, was distilled in 1940 and bottled when it was 81 years earlier.
The three arms that sort its stand – which was created by Scottish sculptor Saskia Robinson – symbolize current grasp whisky maker Kirsteen Campbell, former Macallan chairman Allan Shiach, and distillery workers from the Nineteen Forties.
Its pre-sale estimate stood at between HK$1,300,000 (£131,000) and HK$1,800,000 (£181,000).
Mark Littler, an neutral whisky seller and information, talked about: ‘Sadly I’m not shocked these heaps didn’t promote.
‘When The Crimson Assortment launched in 2020, the market was sturdy, nevertheless the near impossibility of shopping for key age statements similar to the 60 yr earlier made ending a full set tough, leading to waning curiosity.
‘Subsequent re-releases of age statements, such as a result of the 40 yr earlier, have contributed to the notion of the gathering as open ended, reducing its attraction to collectors.’
He added: ‘The Attain debuted on the height of the market in 2022 nevertheless has since seen prices fall dramatically – from virtually £400,000 early in 2023 to £130,000 by year-end.
‘Lots of the earlier value progress in stylish whisky – publish 2015 – was pushed by speculative purchasing for.
‘Following the market correction, collectors now give consideration to really unusual bottles.
‘Whereas this presents wonderful options for educated shoppers, many nonetheless lack the boldness to navigate the current panorama.’
Totally different Macallan heaps did uncover shoppers, with a Lalique 60 yr earlier selling for HK$450,000 (£45,300), a Lalique 57 yr earlier fetching HK$375,000 (£37,800), and Lalique 55 yr earlier moreover going beneath the hammer for HK$375,000 (£37,800).
A bottle of 48-year-old Johnnie Walker Masters of Flavour blended Scotch whisky moreover modified arms for HK$150,000 (£15,100).
The sale marked the opening of Bonhams’ Asia head office. Whereas the two star Macallan heaps floundered, Japanese whiskies proved widespread all through the on-line Hong Kong public sale.
The Hibiki 40 12 months Outdated, the oldest blended whisky made by spirits large Suntory, supplied for HK$425,000 (£42,800), within the path of the upper end of its HK$340,000 (£34,200) to HK$500,000 (£50,300) valuation.
The combination drew on whiskies from each of Suntory’s Japanese distilleries – Chita, Hakushu, and Yamazaki.
Eighteen heaps that features Hanyu’s having fun with card assortment – which the general public sale dwelling described as ‘one among Japan’s most coveted whisky assortment’ – moreover went beneath the hammer.
A spokeswoman for Bonhams suggested Decanter: ‘The very best two Macallan heaps weren’t supplied; nonetheless, we seen notable outcomes for Japanese whiskies on this public sale, along with the Hibiki 40 12 months Outdated, which supplied for HK$425,000.
‘Furthermore, all 18 bottles of the Hanyu Ichiro enjoying playing cards offered have been supplied, with a combined worth above estimate.
‘Particularly, Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt – King of Diamonds – first model supplied for HK$525,000, and Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt – Ace of Spades – first model supplied for HK$325,000, every exceeding their extreme estimates.’