KANDOBLANC’S ‘DRAGON IN CLOUDS’ REACHES
A LANDMARK US $142,433 AT DISTILLERS ONE OF ONE AUCTION
-Highest lot price achieved by an independent company in this year’s auction-
KANDOBLANC – the visionary Maison at the intersection of art, culture and rare whisky – has achieved a landmark moment as its one-of-a-kind creation, Dragon in Clouds, sold for US $142,433 at the Distillers One of One auction in partnership with Sotheby’s – the highest lot price achieved by an independent boutique company and sixth highest all the 39 lots – more than doubling KANDOBLANC’s previous auction record.
The auction furthered KANDOBLANC’s commitment to cultural contribution, with 100% of proceeds from Dragon in Clouds donated to The Distillers’ Charity in support of the Youth Action Fund, which supports transformative opportunities for disadvantaged young people across Scotland. All 39 one-of-a-kind lots were presented at the event, collectively raising US $3,882,102 for charitable causes.
“Beyond the auction result, we see meaning in what this contribution enables”, said Dhavall Gandhi, founder and artistic director of KANDOBLANC. “Empowering the youth isn’t just about giving them resources; it’s about giving them opportunities to thrive. The impactful work of the Distillers’ charity is an investment in a brighter tomorrow for everyone. As a Maison devoted to cultural sustainability, we are proud and honoured to be part of this journey.”
Beanie Espey-Geraedts, MD of Distillers One of One said: “It is very special to us to know that this exceptional sum that has been raised will have a direct impact on Scotland’s disadvantaged youth.”
Dragon in Clouds is a one-of-a-kind piece that embodies a rare convergence of artistic traditions, uniting Japanese craftsmanship with Italian glassmaking mastery. Developed over two years, the vision was brought to life through a cross-cultural collaboration that united KANDOBLANC with master artisans, artists, makers, designers, and visual storytellers from around the world.
At the creation’s heart lies a 60-year-old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky, a spirit of extraordinary rarity and refinement. Matured for six decades in refill Sherry casks, it reveals a complex depth that is restrained and elegant.
Beyond its aesthetic achievements, Dragon in Clouds represents KANDOBLANC’s commitment to artistic sustainability and the preservation of artisanal knowledge and heritage techniques. By creating economically viable projects for master craftsmen, the maison ensures these ancient skills continue to evolve rather than merely survive.
Dragon in Clouds arrives at a moment when collectors and patrons are seeking objects with authentic cultural narrative and emotional depth. The Maison plans to unveil further details about its upcoming singular piece inspired by Mount Fuji.
The Distillers One of One auction took place at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh, on Friday 10th October with auction partner Sotheby’s. All proceeds support The Distillers’ Charity and its vital mission.
ABOUT DHAVALL GANDHI:
Dhavall Gandhi is the founder and creative visionary behind KANDOBLANC, a Maison devoted to uniting art, culture, and rare whisky through one-of-a-kind creations. Originally from India, Dhavall’s creative journey began with a heightened sensory awareness and a concept-driven imagination. As a child, he could identify pencil brands by scent alone and recall spaces through smell – early signs of a sensorial language that would shape his future.
Though academically trained in finance and economics, a formative trip to Scotland sparked his fascination with whisky. A later visit to Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail crystallised his calling, leading to a Master’s in Brewing & Distilling and roles with Heineken, The Macallan, and The Lakes Distillery.
Profoundly influenced by Japanese aesthetics and philosophy, Dhavall founded KANDOBLANC in 2023 to honour and reimagine heritage craftsmanship through contemporary art forms. His debut creation AGA, unveiled at the Distillers
One of One auction, fused Murano glassmaking with Japanese kintsugi and set two world records. Through KANDOBLANC, Dhavall is shaping a distinct creative space — where rare whisky becomes a medium for cultural expression and a point of entry into the world of heritage craftsmanship. Each creation is designed to foster emotional connection and lasting meaning, guided by a belief that the most enduring experiences are those that move us.
ABOUT KANDOBLANC:
Founded in 2023 by Gandhi, KANDOBLANC represents a bold new paradigm in high craft, where rare whisky serves as both medium and narrative device within meticulously crafted contemporary heirlooms. The maison’s debut creation, AGA, unveiled at Distillers One of One in 2023, immediately established itself by setting two world records, while introducing Gandhi’s multidisciplinary vision to the international world of collectible design and superhuman craftsmanship.
KANDOBLANC’s vision is of cultural curation, where each piece bridges traditional mastery with contemporary artistic expression. Our philosophy centres on kandō, the Japanese concept of quiet beauty that moves the soul, manifesting through objects that transcend mere luxury to become vehicles for cultural preservation and emotional resonance.
Driven by his lifelong artistic quest, founder Dhavall Gandhi discovered profound resonance between his personal sensibility and an enduring reverence for Japanese culture. This connection informs KANDOBLANC’s philosophical approach, rooted in timeless artistic evolution and refined elegance.
Each of the creations begin with this foundation — a deep respect for heritage artforms coupled with an unwavering commitment to their preservation. Through a meticulous blend of creativity, culture, and philosophy, we honour the principles of artistic sustainability.
Our vision manifests itself in carefully crafted objets d’art and contemporary heirlooms, creating a lasting legacy in the form of a living museum of modern meaning. Yet, beyond creation, our work embodies a mission of cultural sustainability, preserving artisanal mastery and heritage craftsmanship.
At KANDOBLANC, we celebrate evolution, collaboration, and cultural convergence. Encapsulating a desire for whisky as a gateway to a new world, we celebrate the seamless unity of beauty and culture. Calling on the artistry of rare whisky as medium in the pursuit of creative expression and excellence.
ABOUT THE DISTILLERS ONE OF ONE® AUCTION CHARITY 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. 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 One of One returned to Hopetoun House, near Edinburgh, Scotland, for its third iteration on 10th October 2025.
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
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