Close Menu
News

Scotch whisky auction raises £370k for charity

The Scotch Whisky Industry Charity Auction raised £370,950 to support the Beatson Cancer Charity last month.

L to R, Alan Kilpatrick BEM, Kenneth Ferguson,Donna McLeod, Tom MacLaren, Ian Curle, Martin Cawley, Nathan Kaczmarski, Azmat Sadozye, David Glen, Jo Cook, Kirsty Nimmo, Lindsay McGarvie.

The sale saw 103 whiskies from 30 distilleries and independent bottlers put on sale online from 13-23 September and bids were placed by 321 bidders from 35 countries.

Among the whiskies put up for sale was a bottle of 50 year-old Bunnahabhain Beatson Sherry Cask No.1 of 1, which was bottled exclusively for the auction and is the oldest bottling ever released by the Islay distillery. It was bought for £12,650, which is £7,000 more than the previous oldest bottling is recorded being sold for.

Also keenly sought after was a 1949 The Macallan 50 year-old (£36,000), The Rosebank 1989 Single Cask 29 year-old #2477 No.1 of 1 (£17,000) and a Dalmore 1978 Constellation 33 year-old Cask #1 (£7,370).

Ian Curle, former CEO of Edrington and who previously benefitted from the skill and care of The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, was the driving force behind the sale.

He said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the auction, which wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration of all parties involved. The sum raised is testimony to the generosity and support of my former colleagues and friends across the Scotch Whisky industry. A special thanks must go to Whisky Auctioneer who provided their services free of charge and donated their commissions to Beatson Cancer Charity. We were proud to come together to support the exceptional work of Beatson Cancer Charity which supports people through their cancer journey every step of the way.”

Martin Cawley, Beatson Cancer Charity CEO said, “We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the success of this exciting initiative and extremely grateful to everyone involved in making it happen, whether they donated a bottle, helped with the organisation of the auction, or indeed purchased one of the vintage
whiskies. The amount raised exceeded all expectations and we are delighted at the outcome! Our aim is to enhance the lives of people living with cancer and their families by providing practical care and support working closely with our colleagues at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. I can assure you this money will make a huge positive contribution to people’s lives.”

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No