Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Full “Card” Series offered with each bottle signed by Ichiro Akuto.
A very few sets of the Full “Card” Series exist in the world.
Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Full “Card” Series. Estimate: €700,000 – €1,200,000.

Paris – One of the world’s rarest and most coveted collections of Japanese Whisky – the Hanyu Ichiro Malt Full “Card” Series – will be offered at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris in an online sale on www.bonhams.com from 12 – 29 November 2024.

Carrying an estimate of €700,000 – €1,200,000, this celebrated collection with exceptional provenance from a prominent private collector, comprises 54 bottles representing each playing card in a full pack. Each ‘card’ was bottled from a single cask of premium whisky ranging in production years from 1985 to 2000 from the acclaimed and now closed distillery of Hanyu. Only a few sets of the Malt Full “Card” Series exist in the world with this collection being unique, as each bottle has been signed by Ichiro Akuto, the whisky-making legend of Japan.

Amayès Aouli, Bonhams’ Global Head of Wine and Spiritscomments, “As a pioneer in spirits at auction, Bonhams holds multiple world records for the Hanyu Ichiro Malt Full “Card” set series. We are honoured to offer this exceptionally rare collection once more. This is an incredible opportunity to acquire the most collectible of Japanese whiskies, with excellent provenance. For each bottle to be personally signed by the Master Distiller, Ichiro Akuto, makes this set truly unique.”

Clément Gaillard, Bonhams’ Specialist in Spirits added, “With only a finite number produced, it is one of the most sought-after whisky collections across the globe. To own this series, is to own an extraordinary piece of whisky history.”

Bonhams sets world records

In 2015, Bonhams was the first auction house to sell the Full “Card” series, which set the world record for the most valuable Japanese whisky collection at HK$3,797,500. The legendary set then broke two new records at Bonhams in 2019 (for HK$7,192,000) and then again in 2020 when the collection made a spectacular combined total of HK$11,890,60 (US$1,520,000).

The Hanyu Distillery

Founded by Isouji Akuto, a 19th generation descendant of a long line of sake brewers to produce Scotch-style malt whisky, the Hanyu distillery ceased production in 2000. But not before Ichiro Akuto, grandson of Isouji, stepped in to secure most of the casks of whisky left from the distillery (approximately 400). An avid whisky lover like his grandfather, Ichiro personally selected the prized amber liquid to be bottled for each ‘card’ released between 2005 and 2014, ensuring that the Hanyu legend lives on. Read the interview with Ichiro Akuto in Bonhams Magazine here.

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Sale: Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt Full “Card” Series
Location: www.bonhams.com
Date: 12-29 November 2024