The Full Contents of the Second Edition of the World’s Most Distinguished Ultra-Rare Whisky Auction, the Distillers One of One, Revealed as Catalogue is Published Today, Ahead of Live Auction in Scotland on 5 October
Unveiled in Full: 39 Lots of Extraordinary Whiskies and Experiences with a Combined Value in Excess of £1 Million
Proceeds to be donated to The Distillers’ Charity, principally to the Youth Action Fund, dedicated to transforming the lives of young people in Scotland
“The highlight of the whisky calendar has finally arrived. The Distillers One of One represents all of the best elements of this industry: the community spirit, the rarity of the liquid, the creativity of the presentation and, above all, the charitable nature. A wiser man than me described this as being ‘The Whisky Olympics’. I cannot wait to be on the rostrum for this auction and see how we can develop this project into 2025.”
Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Spirits, Sotheby’s
LONDON, 14 SEPTEMBER 2023 – While a small selection of highlights from the second edition of the world’s most distinguished ultra-rare whisky auction, the Distillers One of One, was unveiled earlier this summer, now for the first time, the full scope of the forthcoming sale is revealed.
In total, a collection of 39 one-off, never-to-be-repeated Scotch whiskies have been created and donated from distilleries across the length and breadth of Scotland – to be offered at an auction taking place at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh on 5 October 2023. Also today, collectors will have the opportunity to place online bids in advance on each of the lots, which range in estimate from £2,000 upwards to £500,000. Prior to the sale, a selection of lots will go on view in Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries in London from 15 to 20 September.
“The Distillers’ Charity is delighted to be returning with the 2023 Distillers One of One. Through the generosity, commitment and collective endeavour of the Scotch Whisky Industry we hope to continue the momentum created by the Distillers One of One Auction in 2021. Through this collaboration, the Youth Action Fund was established to support disadvantaged young people in Scotland and this purpose has inspired yet another remarkable collection of the rarest and most collectible Scotch Whisky Lots. The generosity, creativity and commitment exhibited here makes you feel proud to be part of this great Industry.”
Jonathan Driver, Chairman, Distillers’ Ventures Limited
The highest value lot in the sale is Bowmore STAC 55 Years Old (est. £300,000-500,000), the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery. Showcasing over half a century of exquisite and skilled maturation, this single malt is housed in a striking and ground-breaking magnum-sized, 1.5 litre, hand-blown vessel made entirely of glass. The concept pays homage to Bowmore’s island home where its inspiring sea stacks became the starting point for the vessel’s design.
Equally striking is Brora Iris, an historic 50 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky presented in a 1.5 litre decanter, itself suspended within an imposing one-of-a-kind handcrafted stone sculpture (est. £200,000-400,000). This ultra-rare spirit, crafted by distillers at Brora five decades ago, is the oldest Brora single malt that has ever been bottled and will never be made commercially available. The stunning work of art represents the eye of a Scottish Wildcat, the highly elusive native of the Scottish Highlands that is the emblem of Brora Distillery.
From the Glen Grant Distillery comes The Visionary, an exceptional one-of-a-kind creation (est. £50,000-90,000). This rare single malt is aged 68 years and is one of the oldest whiskies to be released by the distillery. The whisky is presented in a singular hand blown battuto-cut magnum decanter, its innovative design capturing the suspension of the spirit within the glass structure as if it was itself a rare plant or flower. A precious stone Malachite stopper and base reflect the influence of copper, celebrating the tall stills which have shaped the spirit.
The Gordon & MacPhail Recollection Showcase embodies the company’s unique depth and breadth of single malt Scotch whiskies (est. £80,000-160,000). Housed in a handcrafted cabinet made of elm and oak, this singular offering features five uniquely engraved Glencairn decanters. Each contains an extremely rare one-off 70cl single malt from a distillery that has been lost or silent for decades – never to repeated.
A unique lot from Glenfarclas – Glenfarclas 55 Year Old Single Casks 1967 & 1968 – combines two vintages from the 1960s in one set (est. £20,000-30,000). Both casks are traditional Sherry Butts aged for 55 years which remain safely sleeping in the dunnage warehouses in Ballindalloch, with just the precious liquid for the lot removed.
AGA, by KANDOBLANC showcases a contrasting duo of rare Scotch whiskies (est. £50,000-100,000). Nestled within the exquisite vessel inspired by Japanese aesthetics and Italian craftsmanship is a delicate and refined Speyside malt and a flamboyant Highland malt. Distilled in 1979 and bottled in 2023, both whiskies are meticulously woven for the one-of-a-kind offering.
Littlemill Decennia is a one-off trio from Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery, featuring liquid from Littlemill’s 70s, 80s and 90s reserves (est. £20,000-30,000). The liquid is showcased in three bespoke 70cl Glencairn decanters – each bearing three delicate cuts in homage to three remarkable decades of whisky-making history – housed in a one-of-a-kind handmade cabinet.
The full list of lots, with estimates, is available to view here.
The inaugural Distillers One of One Auction took place in December 2021, supported by leading brands from across the Scotch Whisky industry, and raised £2.4m for charity of which £2.2m was granted to the newly created Youth Action Fund. The Youth Action Fund was established by The Distillers’ Charity to support disadvantaged young people in Scotland, transform their life chances, and empower them to create positive change in their lives and communities.
About Sotheby’s Wine
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits achieved a record total of $158 million in 2022, a 20% increase from 2021. Sotheby’s currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction, in addition to the highest ever total for a charity wine auction.
About the Distillers’ Charity
The Distillers’ Charity was founded in 1955 as the philanthropic arm of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, a City of London Livery company. In addition to the Youth Action Fund, its charitable work has focused on two other important areas: Vocational Training and Education to develop the next generation of talent in the spirits trade, and City and Livery Giving that also works towards the charity’s mission of transforming the lives of young people.
About the Distillers One of One Auction
The inaugural Distillers One of One Auction was held in December 2021, organised by The Worshipful Company of Distillers. The vision for the Distillers One of One Auction Series, developed in partnership with leading auction house Sotheby’s, was to create the pre-eminent charitable auction for Scotch Whisky with two clear aims: to make a strong social impact in Scotland transforming lives of disadvantaged young people, and to showcase excellence in craftsmanship, and the rarity value of Scotch Whisky to a global audience. A biennial series, the next One of One Auction will be held in October 2023 at Hopetoun House on the outskirts of Edinburgh and is expected to attract whisky buyers and luxury goods collectors from around the world.
