Sotheby’s unveils full line-up of this year’s Distillers One of One auction of ultra-rare whiskies

Sotheby’s has unveiled the full line-up of its distinguished Ultra-Rare Whisky Auction, the Distillers One of One, ahead of the auction on 5 October. 

This year marks the second edition of the charity auction, following the inaugural sale in 2021, will comprise 39 lots of extraordinary, one-off and never-to-be-repeated whiskies direct from distilleries around Scotland, along with a series of experiences for the successful bidders. Advance bidder for the auctioned, which will take place at Hopetoun House outside Edinburgh on 5 October, opens today ,with a selection of lots on view in Sotheby’s New Bond Street in London this week (15-20 September).

Estimated prices for each lot range from £2,000 to £500,000, with the sale expected to raise more than £1million in total.

Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Spirits, Sotheby’s called it “the highlight of the whisky calendar”, which “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.”

Among the highlights of the sale is a Bowmore STAC 55 Years Old (est. £300,000-500,000), the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, which was unveiled over the summer. The 1.5 litre, hand-blown glass bottle is said to pay homage to Bowmore’s island home, inspired by local sea stacks.

The Brora Iris is another star lot (estimate: £200,000-400,000)., comprising an historic 50 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky presented in a 1.5 litre decanter, which is suspended within a handcrafted stone sculpture to represent the eye of a Scottish Wildcat, the elusive native of the Scottish Highlands that is the emblem of Brora Distillery. The ultra-rare spirit was crafted by distillers at Brora five decades ago – making it the oldest Brora single malt ever bottled – which will never be commercially available.

Other highlights include the Gordon & MacPhail Recollection Showcase (est. £80,000-160,000) of rare single malts created at distilleries that have been lost or silent for many years, and The Visionary from Glen Grant Distillery, a one-of-a-kind single malt that has been aged for 68 years  (est. £50,000-90,000). The liquid is presented in a hand blown battuto-cut magnum decanter, topped with a precious stone Malachite stopper, which evokes the copper of the distillery’s traditional stills.

Jonathan Driver, Chairman, Distillers’ Ventures Limited said the Distillers’ Charity was 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.” he said. “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.”