The first “The Distillers One of One” charity auction has revealed the date of its first auction as part of a six-year partnership with Sothebys. The auction will take place on Friday 3 December and the lots, over 40 whiskies and experiences that have been specially created and donated by companies from across the Scotch Whisky industry, range from £1,500 to upwards of £500,000. Each lot has been carefully selected to showcase the excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, and value of Scotch Whisky.
The highest valued lot of the auction, with an estimate of £350,000-£500,000, is a Talisker Cask of Distinction 1978. This is the first time a Cask Of Distinction has been offered at auction. It is being paired with a cask-end that has been turned into an original work of art by Turner Prize nominee Callum Innes.
William Grant & Sons is providing three lots from Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Ladyburn, all exceeding fifty years of age. The estimate for this ultra-rare collector’s piece is £220,000-350,000 and Beam Suntory are offering two lots, one from Bowmore, and the other from Glen Garioch.
The Bowmore Onyx is a rare and unique 51 Year Old single malt. It is the first ever 51 Year Old released by Bowmore Distillery (estimate £100,000-180,000).
The Glen Garioch Cask lot features two full casks of whisky: the first, a 31-year-old cask from 1990; the second, an en primeur cask distilled in 2021 (estimate £100,000-150,000). The last time that Glen Garioch was distilled using direct fire on the stills was 31 years ago.
Scotland’s Oldest Working Distillery, The Glenturret, is providing an exclusive Lalique decanter bottling containing a unique Single Malt whisky selected from 1987 Sherry casks created by Master Blender, Bob Dalgarno. To house the whisky, Lalique have created a One of One hand-blown decanter in green crystal; the rarest that is made. Lot (estimate £15,000-25,000).
On offer from Gordon & MacPhail, the 126-year-old family business, is a bespoke visit to Elgin where the bid winner will sample from a selection of maturing Single Malt casks from the 1940s and 1950s. They will receive 2 bottles of whisky from their favourite cask (one in a unique decanted and one in a bottle). This experience carries an estimate of £80,000-160,000.
The Distillers’ Charity is the philanthropic arm of The Worshipful Company of Distillers. Proceeds from The Distillers One of One auction will benefit The Youth Action Fund, which has been created by The Distillers’ Charity focusing on supporting disadvantaged young people in Scotland, transforming their life chances and empowering them to create positive change in their lives and communities. Working with charity partners who offer education and training programmes, the fund will provide young people with opportunities to develop life skills, discover their values and be work-ready.
Jonathan Driver, Master of The Worshipful Company of Distillers, said: “The generosity the Scotch Whisky industry has shown in coming together to create these truly unique lots available for this landmark sale has been humbling. Countless young people will benefit for years to come, thanks to the results of the auction. It is a testament to the spirit of the people who work within both the family-owned businesses and global companies that have contributed to this momentous occasion. We cannot thank enough all those who have come on board with us and Sotheby’s to help realise our mission, and to all the collectors who will be taking part on the day”.
Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s Spirits Specialist, said: “This landmark sale, compiling such significant donations from so many world-renowned brands, shows the strength of community spirit in the Scotch Whisky industry. To bring this number of exceptional whiskies to auction, from unique bottles to rare casks offers, and all for a good cause, is reason enough to raise a glass to everyone involved.”
