Scottish actor, Ewan McGregor, best known for his roles in Trainspotting (1996) and Star Wars (1999-2005), has teamed up with Lochranza Distillery to auction rare whiskies for charity.
McGregor is the proud owner of a 1998 cask of Arran whisky, which was gifted to him by the distillery. The cask has been quietly maturing on the Isle of Arran for over two decades. Now, the cask has been bottled. 150 of the resulting bottles will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). The charity supports children with life-limiting conditions, as well as their families, all over Scotland.
Ewan’s Cut
The whisky inside these rare bottles was distilled in 1998 and matured in an ex-sherry hogshead. It was matured for 26 years (making it one of the oldest whiskies ever produced at the Lochranza Distillery) and bottled at 46% ABV. The resulting bottles are called ‘Ewan’s Cut’. McGregor was invited back to the distillery to be presented with the finished whisky.
“In 1998 Ewan McGregor joined us at Lochranza Distillery to toast the first cask of Arran Single Malt, which was the first legal cask to be laid down on Arran for over 150 years. We presented him with his own ex-sherry hogshead that day and it has matured in our Warehouse until now,” said Stewart Bowman, Isle of Arran Distillers Distillery Manager.
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“Since then Ewan has gone on to have an amazing career and we have built a global whisky brand whilst proudly maintaining our independent status. We are thrilled to invite Ewan back to the distillery, where our story began almost 30 years ago, to present him with the finished bottles of Ewan’s Cut.”
In addition, the packaging for the whisky pays homage to Ewan’s long career in the arts, with The Leith Agency working with Ewan and his brother, Chris, to design the labels pro bono. Each label features a reference to McGregor’s famous roles in the aforementioned Trainspotting and Star Wars, as well as Long Way Round. According to the official press release, “Each of the 150 bottle labels reads like a mini film script, with no two labels alike.”
Ewan McGregor has personally signed 24 of the bottles.
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The Auction & CHAS
The Ewan’s Cut bottles will be auctioned by Whisky Auctioneer between September 27th and October 7th, 2024. Whisky Auctioneer is charging no seller’s commission and has also pledged to donate its 12.5% buyer’s commission to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
Speaking about the vital work done by CHAS, Ewan McGregor said: “I have been involved with CHAS and visited their hospices many times over the years, so I know the unwavering care that both Rachel House and Robin House provide children and their families during their hardest moments.
“My hope is that this auction can raise a significant amount to ensure that these wonderful places are able to continue providing the service they do.”
“We are delighted that Ewan, who is a long-standing supporter and friend of CHAS, has kindly chosen to donate all proceeds from this exciting auction to our charity. We are grateful too to Isle of Arran Distillers for arranging this special event and to Whisky Auctioneer for waiving the seller’s commission to ensure that CHAS will benefit from the maximum funds,” added Rami Okasha, CEO at CHAS.
“Three children a week die in Scotland from an incurable condition and demand for our services is growing. Our ambition is that no-one should face the death of their child alone.
“Over the course of the last year CHAS directly supported 419 babies, children and young people across the country, and hundreds more in hospital palliative care teams funded by CHAS. We provide support for the whole family – parents and siblings – and have assisted nearly 2,000 family members of seriously ill children this year. Knowing your child may die young is the hardest thing imaginable. The funds raised through the Ewan’s Cut auction will make a real difference to those families.”
How To Bid On Ewan’s Cut
If you would like to become the proud owner of a bottle of Ewan’s Cut, and help families in need in the process, click here to sign up for a Whisky Auctioneer account. Bidding starts on September 27th and is available globally.
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