The biennial Distillers One of One Auction, hosted in partnership by The Worshipful Company of Distillers and Sotheby’s at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh, raised a total of $2.9 million (£2,316,722) from the sale of one-of-a-kind Scotch whiskies.
The event features unique lots and experiences donated by leading distilleries from across Scotland. All proceeds are donated directly to The Distillers’ Charity’s Youth Action Fund.
The fund is dedicated to providing training, education, and employment opportunities for people in Scotland aged 16 to 25.
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READ THE STORYFive lots accounted for over $2.2 million of the total hammer price, with several bottles dramatically exceeding their pre-auction estimates.
The five most expensive whiskies sold at the auction were:
1. The Glenlivet SPIRA 60 Year Old: $814,000 (£650,000)
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This 1.5-liter bottle, distilled in 1965, is the oldest expression ever released by The Glenlivet. The single malt matured for six decades in a single hogshead cask.
Its final price significantly surpassed its high estimate of £110,000.
The liquid was presented in a hand-blown Spira decanter created by Brodie Nairn at Glasstorm. The piece sits on an oak plinth meticulously crafted by NEJ Stevenson, cabinet makers to the British Royal family.
2. The Glen Grant Eternal 77 Year Old: $501,000 (£400,000)
The oldest and rarest whisky ever released by The Glen Grant, this 43.0% ABV single malt was drawn from a sherry-seasoned European oak butt filled in 1948.
“Being the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, Eternal 77 Year Old truly captures a lifetime of flavour,” said Greig Stables, Master Distiller. “The ability to maintain the integrity of the spirit over such a lengthy maturation is testament to the constancy of our new make spirit.”
3. Port Ellen Prism 46 Year Old: $469,000 (£375,000)
This is the oldest single malt ever released by the Islay distillery Port Ellen. Bottled at a cask strength of 57.8% ABV, the lot also included a 10cl sample for the winning bidder.
The whisky first matured in refill hogshead casks before being married in a refill American oak puncheon for more than a decade.
4. Ladyburn One of One Marilyn Monroe 58 Year Old: $282,000 (£225,000)
This rare whisky comes from the lost Ladyburn distillery, which operated for only nine years before being dismantled in 1975. The spirit was drawn from cask #102092, one of the last remaining casks from the distillery’s foundation year. It was bottled at a cask strength of 43.7% ABV.
“Among the pantheon of lost distilleries, Ladyburn shines as a rare gem,” said Jonathan Driver, William Grant & Sons Private Clients Managing Director.
5. Laphroaig Capsule 40 Year Old: $156,000 (£125,000)
The joint oldest release from Laphroaig, this single malt was created from spirit distilled in 1980 and 1981. It matured for 25 years in Oloroso sherry and ex-bourbon hogsheads before being vatted together for another 15 years. The lot included a 10cl sample.
