Distillers One of One: a look at the first tranche of whiskies
Auction house Sotheby’s has revealed the first lots in the third edition of the Distillers One of One charity auction, featuring whiskies from some of Scotland’s biggest names.
This year’s Distillers One of One auction features 40 one-off lots from 36 Scotch whisky distilleries, the first 15 of which were unveiled this week.
The live auction in partnership with Sotheby’s will take place on Friday 10 October at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh. The charity sale will raise money for the Youth Action Fund, with 100% of the hammer price donated following the completion of the sale.
The 2025 auction is the third edition of Distillers One of One, which has raised £4.3 million for charity since its debut in 2021.
Lots at this year’s sale include:
Port Ellen 200th anniversary release
To mark Port Ellen’s 200th anniversary, parent company Diageo has donated a single malt whisky from the Islay distillery. Reopened last year, Port Ellen has embarked on new experimental trials through a project titled Atlas of Smoke, of which this single malt release is a part. The auction lot also includes an exclusive experience at Port Ellen Distillery for the buyer and three guests.
The Glen Grant Eternal 77-Year-Old
Presented inside a handblown glass magnum decanter, Campari Group has donated this 77-year-old from The Glen Grant distillery for the charity auction — the oldest whisky presented in the line up. The liquid has been bottled at 43% ABV and drawn from a single Sherry seasoned European oak butt filled in 1948.
The Glenlivet SPIRA
Chivas Brothers, Pernod Ricard’s whisky arm, has offered up two lots this year, the first being the oldest expression released by The Glenlivet to date. Estimated to go for between £60,000 and £110,000, the ‘spiral’ decanter holds a 60-year-old whisky distilled in 1965 and matured in a single hogshead cask.
The Mouth of the Chattering Burn – Aberlour
Pernod Ricard’s second contribution to the charity auction comes from Aberlour. The distillery has debuted its oldest whisky ever released for the auction — a 53-year-old single malt distilled in 1967 and matured in a single cask. It is estimated between £20,000 and £40,000.
The Glendronach Arias in Time
Brown-Forman’s collection of Highland single malt Scotch whiskies are estimated at £60,000-£100,000. The liquids have been drawn from four different Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, chosen by master blender Rachel Barrie.
Laphroaig Capsule
Suntory Global Spirits has contributed a 40-year-old Laphroaig for the Distillers One of One auction this year. Created from spirit distilled in 1980 and 1981, the liquids were matured in Oloroso Sherry-seasoned hogsheads and ex-Bourbon American oak hogsheads for 26 years before being vatted together in hogsheads until June 2022. Estimate between £40,000 – £80,000.
Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies, Benromach and The Cairn
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This set of three bottles each contain a rare one-off single malt including the very first ever bottling from The Cairn Distillery. The collection comprises of a Gordon & MacPhail 75-Year-Old from Glen Grant Distillery, Benromach 52-Year-Old and The Cairn three-Year-Old, the first ever single malt released from the distillery.
Dragon in Clouds – KANDOBLANC
Having debuted at the Distillers One of One in 2023, Dhavall Gandhi, former master distiller of The Lakes Distillery, has crafted a 60-year-old single malt Scotch for this year’s auction.
Ladyburn One of One 2025 – Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw
William Grant & Sons’ first of two lots comes from Ladybirn. The single bottle has been drawn from Cask 102092, one of a handful of 1966 Sherry butts, and features a photograph of Marilyn Monroe taken by photographer Sam Shaw on the decanter.
House of Hazelwood and Huntsman Of Savile Row Bespoke Tailoring And Whisky Experience
William Grant & Sons’ second lot is a collaboration between House of Hazelwood and bespoke tailor Huntsman of Savile Row. The experience includes working with the whisky distillery’s master blenders on a whisky crafted using rare malts and grains aged up to 60 years. Campbell Carey, Huntsman’s head cutter and creative director, will also work with the successful bidder to create their own bespoke cashmere tweed jacket.
Old Pulteney Polaris
International Beverage has offred a rare 47-year-old single malt for this year’s auction, the oldest whisky ever released from the nearly 200-year-old Old Pulteney distillery. The liquid was matured in American Oak casks for four decades before a further seven years in a single first-fill Spanish Oak butt. Estimate between £26,000 – £40,000.
A Private Blending Experience – The Last Drop
Master blender Colin Scott is offering a guide to The Last Drop’s inventory of mature single malts, grains, and aged blends. The result will be 12 hand-finished bottles housing a bespoke blended Scotch whisky aged over 30 years, accompanied by miniature editions as well as a personalised tasting journal. The experience includes a private archive tasting, a celebratory dinner, and two nights’ stay at the Scone Palace, with a guided tour of its private rooms.Estimate between £16,000 – £28,000.
Royal Brackla 54 Year Old
Bacardi’s John Dewar & Sons has donated two lots this year, the first coming from Royal Brackla. Handpicked by Malt Master Stephanie Macleod, the liquid was filled into a single refill Hogshead number 2665 on 24 March 1970. Estimate between £13,000 – £24,000.
Aberfeldy 49 Year Old Single Cask
The second offering from John Dewar & Sons, this liquid was filled into refill Hogshead cask #3978 on 6 August 1975 and rested in oak for nearly 50 years before being handpicked by malt master Stephanie Macleod. Estimate between £12,000 – £20,000.
Rare Find – The Age of Change – Gleann Mór
This whisky trilogy was created to commemorate the 1823 Excise Act. The set includes a 34 year old Littlemill 1990, a 43 year old Miltonduff 1981, and a 32 year old Springbank 1992.
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