Dalmore L’Anima raises $141,688 for charity at auction

The Dalmore L’Anima Aged 49 Years, created by master distiller Richard Paterson and Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura, has raised US$141,688 for charity after being sold during an online auction.

Massimo Bottura (left) and Richard Paterson (right) bottled a 49-year-old Dalmore whisky for charity

The ‘one-of-a-kind’ whisky, which was revealed in February this year, marked Bottura’s first venture in the spirits world.

Sotheby’s auctioned The Dalmore L’Anima Aged 49 Years online with no reserve, in a lot that included dinner for two at Bottura’s three Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana restaurant in Modena, Italy.

All proceeds from the sale were donated to Food for Soul, Bottura’s non-profit organisation that fights against food waste through social inclusion.

Bottled at 41.5% abv, the single malt Scotch has been made from whiskies matured in small batch Bourbon barrels, González Byass casks that once held 40-year-old Pedro Ximénez Sherry, and Graham’s Vintage Port pipes.

L’Anima, which means ‘soul’ in Italian, is said to showcase the chocolate orange profile The Dalmore is associated with, combined with flavours indicative of Bottura’s cuisine and Italian produce.

Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s spirits specialist, said: “We were delighted to have partnered with The Dalmore on the sale of L’Anima and the exceptional result for this rare and special whisky exceeded our expectations, bringing the total for spirits sold at Sotheby’s so far this year to US$2 million.

“It is always exciting for us to collaborate with distilleries on exclusive releases and we look forward to presenting more unique offerings at auction in the future.”

The Dalmore L’Anima Aged 49 Years sold for US$141,688