Contact Whisky Recycle | Instant Whisky Valuation
Contact Whisky Era | Choose the right channel for the fastest quote
Having been in whisky recycling for eight years, we've found that many clients are hesitant when they first contact us: they're not sure if their bottle is worth asking about, they're afraid of being lowballed, or they worry about having to provide too much personal information. So let us clarify first — sending a photo for a quote is completely free, pressure-free, and requires no personal information. If the quote isn't to your liking, there's no problem if you don't respond.
Three Channels, Each with Its Strengths
- WhatsApp +852 4613 5750 — Fastest, typically within 15 minutes during business hours for initial replies. Preferred by local Hong Kong clients and overseas Chinese.
- WeChat ID: WSSJ868 — Preferred by collectors in Macau and mainland China, supports voice messages and market updates via Moments.
- Tel: +852-46135750 — If you're in a hurry or can't type, calling directly is the most straightforward.
What photos are needed for an appraisal?
The following five photos are usually sufficient for over 90% of appraisal estimates. A phone camera is fine; not all need to be perfectly clear, as long as the details are visible to the appraiser:
- Full-body front label shot: Clearly showing brand, vintage, alcohol percentage, and volume.
- Back label: Batch number, bottling number, importer information. Japanese and Scotch whisky back labels have different formats, which affects authenticity assessment.
- Bottle neck fill level: A side shot that shows the liquid level, especially for older bottles from the 1990s or earlier, as the natural evaporation level directly impacts the appraisal.
- Seal and capsule: An overhead shot from directly above, to check for any leaks, cracks, or signs of added tin foil.
- Outer box, certificate, copper medal (if any): For Hibiki 30, Yamazaki 25, Karuizawa Geisha series, their completeness can cause a price difference of 15–25%.
Information not required
To protect client privacy, only photos of the whisky are needed for an initial appraisal:
- No need to provide ID cards, addresses, or bank accounts.
- No need to disclose the origin of the collection (unless it's an heirloom or acquired from an auction house; such background information can aid appraisal).
- No need to decide on the spot — written quotes are valid for 7 days, allowing you to compare at your leisure.
Common Scenarios from Real Clients
- "My elders left a few bottles at home, not sure if they're valuable" — Send a picture and you'll know. We'll clarify which ones have collector's value and which are ordinary whiskies.
- "A friend gave me a Hibiki 21, kept it for a few years, now want to sell" — Popular items can be quoted within 15 minutes, based on recent auction records.
- "Clearing out my entire liquor cabinet before immigrating" — For bulk collections, we'll quote each bottle and provide a summary list. On-site collection can be arranged.
Learn More
New to whisky recycling? We recommend first reading about our 4-step recycling service process to understand the complete journey from quote to payment. For questions, please refer to our Whisky Recycling FAQ (15 Questions), where most common queries are answered.
