Mr. Cheng, 64, retired last year after 35 years in government service. His colleagues always described him with three words: "meticulous." His desk was always neatly organized with clearly categorized documents, pens arranged perfectly in his drawers, and even on the day of his retirement farewell party, he prepared a handover checklist before leaving.
So, when he decided to organize his collection of foreign spirits, everything was done in Mr. Cheng's style — documented, systematic, and orderly.
A Foreign Spirits Notebook
In Mr. Cheng's study, there was a dark wooden bookcase, its bottom two shelves filled with foreign spirits. In the desk drawer next to it was an A5-sized hardcover notebook, its cover inscribed with the words "Liquor Record."
Turning to the first page, the first entry was from 1992: Martell Cordon Bleu, purchased for HKD 420 from a liquor store in Tsim Sha Tsui. Every subsequent page followed the same format — brand, vintage, purchase date, place of purchase, price, and occasionally a brief note or two.
"I was a civil servant for over 30 years; my best skill is record-keeping," Mr. Cheng said, pushing up his glasses, his tone as nonchalant as if discussing the weather.
This notebook documented his collection journey of over 30 years, totaling 47 bottles of foreign spirits, mainly Martell and Hennessy. Each bottle had complete purchase details, so clear that it even specified which shop it was bought from.
Why He Decided to Downsize His Collection
After retirement, Mr. Cheng discussed with his wife their plan to trade their three-bedroom apartment in Chai Wan for a two-bedroom seaview unit in the Southern District. "One less room means some things simply have to go," Mrs. Cheng stated directly.
Mr. Cheng had no sentimentality about moving itself, but facing those 47 bottles, he spent an entire week deciding which to keep and which to let go. In the end, he selected 23 bottles for sale, keeping the rest to enjoy slowly.
"The selection criteria were simple: I kept what I liked to drink, and let go of what I didn't," Mr. Cheng said, completely devoid of the usual collector's dilemma.
Age Differences in Martell Cordon Bleu
Among Mr. Cheng's liquidation list were five bottles of Martell Cordon Bleu purchased in different eras. The earliest record showed a purchase in 1992, and the most recent in 2015.
Why would different vintages of the same spirit have such varying values? Mr. Cheng himself was curious.
The answer lies in changes to packaging and quality. Early 1990s Martell Cordon Bleu used an older frosted bottle design, and the golden emblem on the neck differed from later versions. In terms of quality, older connoisseurs generally believed that earlier batches had a richer flavor, which might be due to subtle adjustments in the blending recipe or changes in taste brought about by decades of aging.
In the secondary market for foreign spirits, Martell Cordon Bleu from the late 1980s to early 1990s is highly sought after by many collectors. Mr. Cheng's 1992 Cordon Bleu, with its intact bottle and unoxidized golden seal, was in remarkably ideal condition.
The Evolution of Hennessy XO
Mr. Cheng also had three bottles of Hennessy XO from different periods. His records indicated purchases in 1995, 2003, and 2012.
Since its introduction in 1870, Hennessy XO's bottle design has undergone several revisions. The 1990s version featured a more slender bottle with a distinct indentation at the base. By the early 2000s, the bottle became more robust, and the label design was also adjusted. Recent new versions feature a more modern, streamlined design.
For collectors, older versions of Hennessy XO hold appeal for several reasons: firstly, scarcity, as older versions are discontinued and circulation is limited; secondly, quality differences, as earlier batches used older eaux-de-vie, giving them distinct flavor profiles compared to current products; and thirdly, nostalgic value, as many drinkers have a special fondness for the older bottle shapes.
Mrs. Cheng clearly remembered Mr. Cheng's 1995 Hennessy XO: "That year he was promoted to Senior Executive Officer, and he bought it to celebrate. I still remember the proud look on his face when he brought that bottle home."
Mr. Cheng lightly cleared his throat: "It's just a fact."
Contacting Hong Kong Buyback
Mr. Cheng always acted cautiously. Before deciding to sell, he spent two weeks researching the market, comparing the reputations and quoting methods of several buyers. He ultimately chose Hong Kong Buyback for a very Mr. Cheng-like reason — "Their website clearly listed the buyback process, and their quotes were transparent, so I didn't have to guess."
He meticulously organized his selling list in Excel beforehand, detailing each bottle's brand, vintage, volume, purchase date, and condition, then sent it via WhatsApp. Hong Kong Buyback responded quickly, scheduling an on-site assessment after an initial review of the list.
On the day of the assessment, Mr. Cheng arranged the 23 bottles neatly on the dining table, with his foreign spirits notebook and a printed copy of the Excel list beside them. The buyback specialist, seeing this setup, laughed and said, "Mr. Cheng, your records are more detailed than many liquor stores' inventory lists."
"One should not be careless with record-keeping," Mr. Cheng replied without changing his expression.
The Bottle-by-Bottle Assessment Process
The assessor examined each bottle, confirming its condition. Mr. Cheng's collection had a clear advantage — because he recorded purchase dates and channels, the origin of each bottle could be traced, which is a crucial guarantee of credibility in the secondary market for foreign spirits.
The specialist paid particular attention to several older bottles: the 1992 Martell Cordon Bleu, the 1995 Hennessy XO, and a Rémy Martin Club purchased in 1998. These bottles, being older, commanded a proportionally higher collector's value.
Additionally, two bottles that Mr. Cheng had noted as having "slightly loose caps" were inspected. The specialist confirmed the liquid levels were normal, but because the seal was not perfectly intact, the valuation would be adjusted. Mr. Cheng completely understood: "Imperfections should lead to deductions; that's very reasonable."
Ultimately, both parties agreed on a price. The entire transaction process, from initial contact to completion, took about a week. Mr. Cheng expressed satisfaction: "The efficiency was good, perfectly aligned with my way of doing things."
A New Rhythm After Retirement
After the transaction, Mr. Cheng's bookcase had a lot of empty space. He said he planned to fill it with new books — since retiring, he had become fascinated with history books, especially those about the early days of Hong Kong's opening.
As for the 24 bottles he kept, Mr. Cheng had already devised a "drinking plan": opening one bottle per month to enjoy slowly with his wife. "Before, I was busy with work, so the spirits I bought just sat there. Now that I have time, I should drink them."
Mrs. Cheng added, "He even schedules his drinking; isn't that a bit much?"
Mr. Cheng was noncommittal, simply opening his foreign spirits notebook and writing a new entry on the last page: the date of sale, the name of the buyer, and the amount received. Then he closed the notebook and returned it to the drawer.
A habit of over 30 years, unchanged even in retirement. Or rather, there was no need to change it at all.
If you also have foreign spirits you'd like to know the buyback value of, you can contact Hong Kong Buyback (94530784) via WhatsApp. Providing basic information about your spirits will make the assessment process smoother.
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- Hong Kong Buyback Case Study: Encountering the Wine King – A Record of the Heartfelt Transfer of 2016 Château Pétrus
Practical Questions about Buyback "Mr. Cheng's Foreign Spirits List"
Q: Is it suitable to get an appraisal for Mr. Cheng's foreign spirits list now?
A: Yes, it is suitable. Foreign spirits market conditions are affected by market demand, preservation status, and physical versions. Getting an appraisal doesn't necessarily mean you have to sell, but it can give you an idea of the current potential value, preventing undervaluation of your collection.
Q: When appraising Mr. Cheng's foreign spirits list, which details most affect the quote?
A: Hong Kong Buyback will primarily look at the brand vintage, seal condition, liquid level, completeness of the box and certificates, and the rarity of the version. The more complete the information, the closer the quote will be to the actual transaction price; if there are cosmetic flaws, we will also directly explain their impact on the price.
Q: If I have a foreign spirits list similar to Mr. Cheng's, what should I provide when inquiring?
A: It is recommended to first take clear photos of the front, back, seal, or corner details, then supplement with information on the origin, storage method, and quantity. After sending photos via WhatsApp 94530784, we can make an initial assessment before arranging an in-store or on-site inspection.
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Want to know the actual buyback price?
If you want to know if Mr. Cheng's foreign spirits list can currently fetch a high-price, you can send photos, vintage, or source information to WhatsApp 94530784. Hong Kong Buyback will make an initial assessment, and once confirmed, arrange for safe collection.
