Ewan McGregor has partnered with Lochranza Distillery to bottle and auction 150 exclusive bottles from his own personal 1998 cask with all proceeds going to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), a charity dedicated to supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Whisky Auctioneer, who are auctioning the limited-edition bottles from September 27th to October 7th has waived the seller’s commission and will also donate its 12.5% buyer’s commission, ensuring that the maximum possible funds reach CHAS.
This rare 26 year old Arran Single Malt, matured in an ex-Sherry Hogshead cask, is one of the oldest whiskies ever produced by the Lochranza Distillery. The first twenty-four of the bottles have been personally signed by Ewan McGregor.
Ewan McGregor said, “I have been involved with CHAS and visited their hospices many times over the years, so I know the unwavering care that both Rachel House and Robin House provide children and their families during their hardest moments.
“My hope is that this auction can raise a significant amount to ensure that these wonderful places are able to continue providing the service they do.”
Stewart Bowman, Distillery Manager at Isle of Arran Distillers said, “In 1998 Ewan McGregor joined us at Lochranza Distillery to toast the first cask of Arran Single Malt, which was the first legal cask to be laid down on Arran for over 150 years. We presented him with his own ex-sherry hogshead that day and it has matured in our Warehouse until now.
“Since then Ewan has gone on to have an amazing career and we have built a global whisky brand whilst proudly maintaining our independent status.
“We are thrilled to invite Ewan back to the distillery, where our story began almost 30 years ago, to present him with the finished bottles of Ewan’s Cut.
“Like Ewan, we remain close to our roots and are passionate about giving back to the community. We have looked after Ewan’s cask for the last 26 years and we are delighted to work with him, Whisky Auctioneer and Leith to raise money for CHAS.”
Rami Okasha, CEO at CHAS adds, “We are delighted that Ewan, who is a long-standing supporter and friend of CHAS, has kindly chosen to donate all proceeds from this exciting auction to our charity. We are grateful too to Isle of Arran Distillers for arranging this special event and to Whisky Auctioneer for waiving the seller’s commission to ensure that CHAS will benefit from the maximum funds.
“Three children a week die in Scotland from an incurable condition and demand for our services is growing. Our ambition is that no-one should face the death of their child alone.
“Over the course of the last year CHAS directly supported 419 babies, children and young people across the country, and hundreds more in hospital palliative care teams funded by CHAS. We provide support for the whole family – parents and siblings – and have assisted nearly 2,000 family members of seriously ill children this year. Knowing your child may die young is the hardest thing imaginable. The funds raised through the Ewan’s Cut auction will make a real difference to those families.”
