A Major Bonham’s Auction Of Japanese Whiskeys
Earlier this year, Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015 named a Japanese whisky as the world’s best for the first time. This was a shock to many, as Murray praised the Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013, which retails at £100, for its ‘light, teasing spice.’ Murray’s judgment is yet another sign that, while the popularity of whisky is growing, Japanese distilleries are at the forefront of this renaissance. Bonham’s has established itself as one of the world’s premier auctioneers of Japanese whisky. Spectacular successes: a bottle of Yamazaki 50-year old sold in August for HK$257,250 ($33,000USD), while a bottle of Karuizawa 33-year old took HK$245,000 ($31,000USD)
Now collectors in Japan and across the world have started to give these whiskies the attention they deserve, and there will be a Japanese contingent in the Whisky Auction Featuring Closed Distilleries on 6 February 2015 at Bonham’s Hong Kong.
The 250-lot auction will offer rare single malts from the most sought after brands in Japan, including whiskies from several now-closed distilleries, such as the celebrated pair of Karuizawa and Hanyu. It is the single casks from these now-defunct distilleries that attract the greatest interest and the highest prices among collectors Leading the sale in February is the four-bottle case of Hanyu Ichiro’s Malt – Ace of Spades, Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds, which has a pre-sale estimate of HK$160,000-200,000.($20-25,000O\USD)
Christie’s International Real Estate Returns to Sponsor Art Wynwood, Highlighting Street Art
Christie’s International Real Estate, is returning for the third consecutive year to sponsor Art Wynwood, sister fair to Art Miami, one of the most respected international contemporary and modern art fairs.
Taking place Feb. 12-16 in Midtown Miami, and within the same pavilion as Art Miami, the 2015 edition of Art Wynwood will feature 70 international galleries presenting emerging, cutting edge, contemporary and modern works and will have its own distinct identity and design. A unique attribute of this year’s event is the highlight of street art, murals, pop surrealism and other genres from the contemporary underground movement.
Cruise Trends, February 2015, from CruiseCompete.
Here are some interesting cruise stats from last month. CruiseCompete is a company that tracks cruise data for the river and ocean cruise industry.
Most Popular Cruise Lines
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each cruise line in the given month)
- Premium/Contemporary: Carnival Cruise Lines
- Luxury: Oceania Cruises
- River: Viking River Cruises
Most Popular Cruise Ships
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each ship)
- Premium/Contemporary: Oasis of the Seas (changed from Caribbean Princess last month)
- Luxury: Queen Mary 2 (changed from Oceania Riviera last month)
- River: Independence (changed from Queen of the Mississippi last month)
Most Popular Cruise Regions
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each region)
- Premium/Contemporary: Caribbean
- Luxury: Europe
- River: Europe
Most Popular Cruise Departure Ports
(Based on the total number of quote requests for each departure port)
- Premium/Contemporary: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Luxury: Miami, Fla.
- River: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Porsche Design Presents The New TwiceBag
The luxury brand Porsche Design is expanding its product range by adding another women’s handbag model — the TwiceBag.
Its ability to adapt makes the TwiceBag the ideal companion for a range of occasions and it can be quickly adjusted in just a few movements to suit the individual needs of the wearer. The adaptable wings on the side of the bag mean allows the handbag to have either a modern trapezium shape or a classically elegant box shape. Both versions provide a particularly spacious interior and can be individually customized to suit the contents and the occasion. .
The TwiceBag is available in five different color and metal versions: formica (cream) with silver metal fittings, black with gold metal fittings, marshmallow/apricot, nude and arona (light blue) with white-gold fittings.
The Ritz-Carlton Returns
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali opened this week, marking the brand’s return to the idyllic island. Located in Sawangan, Nusa Dua, The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is set on expansive beachfront and cliff-top land. With 313 hotel rooms, including 34 cliff top and ocean view villas, the luxury resort offers a dramatic location along the sweeping coastline of Nusa Dua’s southern tip.
Embracing local symbolism, a central theme to the property is the Tree of Life, known to locals as ‘Kalpataru’, which represents strength, wisdom, and beauty, and is prevalent throughout the resort and grounds. Décor is “Anyaman” style, coupled with design influences from local craftsmen and the surrounding landscape.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali features six restaurants and lounges, offering an authentic gastronomic journey, combining local ingredients with international influences. Bejana, the property’s soon-to-open Indonesian restaurant, will offer the Culinary Cave – a unique epicurean learning experience with programs personally tailored to suit groups and individuals.
The Ritz-Carlton, Bali is located 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport and is just minutes away from the Jimbaran Bay, Pecatu and Uluwatu area, as well as cultural sites including Jatiluwih and Ubud.
The Newest Gehry: A Growing, Learning Organism
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove, opened world renowned architect Frank Gehry’s first Australian project, the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology Sydney. Gehry flew into Sydney for the opening of the new building which will house the UTS Business School.
Gehry’s newest building is based on the concept of a tree house and was designed from the inside-out. Gehry described the building as “a growing learning organism with many branches of thought, some robust and some ephemeral and delicate.”
The defining features of the exterior are its brick façade, which is an homage to Sydney’s sandstone heritage, and its west-facing glass façade, .
In a media conference, Gehry said, “ “The tendency to build buildings where everything is fixed for a fixed program is an obsolete notion; and we see that all over the place now.”
