Charles Maclean MBE to raise £60,000 in rare whisky auction

Whisky writer Charles Maclean MBE has launched a rare whisky auction to raise money and awareness for clean water charity The Maclean Foundation.

The author, whose books include Whiskypedia: A Gazetteer of Scotch Whisky and Malt Whisky: The Complete Guide, enlisted the help of the Scotch whisky industry to donate a collection of “very rare and highly collectable” spirits for auction, in the hopes of raising £60,000.

Its 39 lots include a unique offering from Port Ellen, a 35-year-old bottle of Port Ellen from 1979, which is part of the Douglas Laing Old & Rare selection, and a 36-year-old Glengoyne from the Russell Family cask.

Charles Maclean MBE said that all the whiskies have “interesting stories”.

“Some are very rare and highly collectable, although some lots are easily affordable – appealing to consumers as well as collectors and investors. The provenance of every item is flawless,” he said.

Also available will be one of only six bottles in existence of Karuizawa Omoiyari, a single malt Japanese whisky and the first bottle of 278 from the Chichibu Distillery’s thousandth cask.

The Maclean Foundation was founded by Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean alongside their dad Charles Maclean MBE, to raise funds for clean water projects.

The founders’ father said of the fundraiser: “The auction is unusual in many respects. Assisted by other trustees, who have or had long involvement with the Scotch whisky industry, we approached a number of friends and colleagues, and they have been hugely generous.

“The funds raised from this outstanding and unique auction will allow the charity to get off the ground and to start having an impact through the provision of clean water.”

The auction is being hosted by Whisky.Auction, a London-based auction website, until 19:30 on 12 September 2023.

Isabel Graham-Yool, director of Whisky.Auction, said: “This is one of the most remarkable auctions of my career. What is so special is that every single one of the 39 lots has particular significance, not only to whisky enthusiasts, but also to the Maclean family and their generous friends who donated such rare and exceptional bottles from their own private collections. We expect there to be a huge amount of interest in this charity auction.”

Also available will be a library of 40 (primarily first edition) whisky books donated from the personal libraries of 15 whisky writers, including Gavin Smith, Ian Buxton, Alice Lascelles, Nicholas Morgan, Dave Wondrich, Ingvar Ronde and Charles Maclean.

Auction lots

Ardbeg Rare Cask #93
Ardmore 1986 100th Ann
Arran 27yo pair
Balblair Boutique-y & Print
Balvenie/Kininvie/Glenfiddich
Ben Nevis 1991 31yo Platinum
Benromach 20th Anniversary
Benromach Distillery Exclusive
Bladnoch 1991 Connoisseurs Choice
Cameronbridge 1978 43yo XOP
Caol Ila Cask Strength 12yo/18yo/Cask Strength
Chichibu 2010 #1000
Chivalry 18yo Special Reserve
Craigellachie 1993 27yo:
Glen Scotia 1991 31yo
Glenfiddich 21yo Reserva
Glengoyne 1984 36yo Russell Family
Glenrothes 1966 38yo
Highland Park 25yo Royal Mile Whiskies
Johnnie Walker Black collector’s Edition
Karuizawa Omoiyari
Lagavulin Feis Ile 2011& 2012
Macallan En Primeur 12yo
Michael Jackson Special Blend/Spirit of Unity/Twenty Twenty
Mortlach 1987 26yo Adelphi
Octomore Masterclass 08 Ed. 1-4
Oishii Wisukii 36yo Highlander Inn
Port Charlotte 2001 19yo
Port Dundas 2006 Signatory
Port Ellen 1977 35yo Platinum
Port Ellen 1979 1 of 1
Royal Lochnagar 1994 26yo & Auchroisk 1982 38yo SMWS
Scotch Whisky Industry Leaders
Teaninich 1972 23yo Rare Malts:
The Keepers of the Quaich Talisker/Highland Park/Tamnavulin
The Loch Fyne Ben Nevis & Dalmore
Whisky Library
Whyte & Mackay 25yo Millennium Blend

In other news, Speyside distillery The Glen Grant has announced its oldest ever release — a 70-year-old single malt whisky, with one decanter estimated to go for £70,000-£110,000 at auction. Read more on that here.