A Collective Endeavour: Scotch Whisky Industry Unites for Philanthropy as First
Lots for the Distillers One of One® Auction Are Revealed
Scotland’s distilleries once more join forces to champion craft and give back through the industry’s largest charity event taking place 10th October 2025
Third edition of The Distillers One of One Charity Auction
Live auction in partnership with Sotheby’s: Friday, 10th October 2025 at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh
36 Scotch Whisky distilleries working collectively in the name of philanthropy
40 one-off, never-to-be-repeated auction lots
100% of the hammer price will be donated to charity
£4.3M / $5.25M raised for charity since the first auction in 2021
LONDON, – The Distillers One of One® is revealing the first extraordinary lots for its highly anticipated third auction, set to take place on Friday, 10th October 2025 at the historic Hopetoun House near Edinburgh, in collaboration with Sotheby’s. The landmark charity auction will bring together the Scotch Whisky industry in a shared spirit of generosity and support, featuring 40 exceptional lots from 36 esteemed donor companies.
Since the initial auction in 2021, the Distillers One of One has firmly established itself as the largest global charity auction of rare Scotch whisky ever staged. The unwavering commitment from donors has helped raise £4.3 million to date, principally awarded to the Youth Action Fund, which aims to transform young people’s lives in Scotland, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to reach their potential and make a positive contribution to their communities.
Thanks to this vital support, over 3,300 young people have been engaged since 2022, with approximately 1,000 young people supported each year and funding delivered at an average of £1 million annually. The journey to lasting employability is often long and complex, and the sustained support provided through the Youth Action Fund has already led to 2,271 employability outcomes to date (June 2025), including employment, apprenticeships, further education, and structured volunteering. Equally important are the 16,462 soft outcomes – such as increased wellbeing, motivation, and resilience – and 12,617 progression milestones achieved, including literacy and numeracy qualifications, work placements, mentoring, and financial management training. These foundational achievements are critical stepping stones on the pathway to employment, and a testament to the life-changing impact this initiative continues to have on Scotland’s young people.
Beanie Espey-Geraedts, MD of Distillers One of One, says “The work being done by the Youth Action Fund is truly impressive, and the results speak for themselves – the scale of impact is really incredible. 2025 has already brought its share of surprises and uncertainties on the global stage, and the whisky industry is feeling those effects too. That’s why we are hugely grateful to all the donor brands and sponsors who have come together once again in support of this unique philanthropic endeavour, to keep raising funds for such a vital cause. Each donor is dedicating significant time, care, and resources to craft truly unique lots – and we can assure you, this year’s line-up is raising the bar once more!”
Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Spirits at Sotheby’s, adds: “Distillers One of One is the apex at which whisky meets art and luxury. It is remarkable that so many whisky brands have generously donated pieces of such high age, high quality and highly creative concepts, merging the most historic Scotch whiskies with breathtaking and innovative designs. These lots incorporate everything imaginable, from glass art and tailoring to watercolours and photography. Being entrusted, once again, to present these whiskies to the world’s most dedicated collectors, all to raise money for a worthy cause, is a privilege.”
About The Distillers One of One® Auction and The Distillers’ Charity
The Distillers One of One Auction is a biennial series of ultra-rare whisky auctions, which launched in 2021. To date, the Auctions have raised £4.3 million, principally awarded to the Youth Action Fund with the aim of supporting young people in Scotland, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to reach their potential and make a positive contribution to their communities. The Youth Action Fund’s portfolio charities are Aberdeen Foyer, Action for Children, Enable Works, Fare, Street League and The Talk About Trust (formerly Alcohol Education Trust). They are collectively managed by Inspiring Scotland.
More than 3,300 young people have been engaged through the Youth Action Fund since its inception in early 2022, benefiting from the work the fund’s dedicated charity partners have undertaken, and dramatically increasing their opportunities to enter the workforce. These young people have significantly improved their long-term prospects, either securing employment (33%), progressing to further/higher education (28%), pursuing other vocational training and apprenticeships (19%), or re-engaging with school (15%). The cumulative employability outcome (to June 2025) currently stands at 2,271.
A total of eighty-one unique lots have been donated across the 2021 and 2023 auctions, 37 of which broke world sales records for the distilleries who created and donated them. The Distillers One of One has earned its reputation as a once-in-a-lifetime experience for collectors: no two bottles are ever the same, and no lot will ever be recreated. Each lot is imbued with the spirit of craftsmanship and exclusivity, representing the pinnacle of Scotch whisky.
The Distillers One of One® is a trading name of The Distillers’ Ventures Limited, a company registered in England & Wales under company number 13264121 and registered office at 9 Bonhill Street, London EC2A 4PE.
The Distillers’ Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (no1193683) and Scotland (SC052075)
One of One® and Distillers One of One® are registered trademarks of The Distillers’ Charity
https://www.distillersoneofone.com/
@distillers_one_of_one
About Sotheby’s
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 currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private collection of wine 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 total ever achieved for a charity wine auction.
