Distillers One of One hosts London exhibition
In anticipation of the 2025 Distillers One of One auction in October, The Distillers’ Charity will host its first lot exhibition at Sotheby’s London.
The Distillers One of One charity auction is the largest global charity auction of rare Scotch whisky. Hosted in collaboration with Sotheby’s, the third biannual auction will take place on 10 October at the Hopetoun House near Edinburgh.
Since the first auction in 2021, these events have raised £4.3 million (US$5.25 million), mainly for the Youth Action Fund, which supports disadvantaged young people in Scotland to achieve their potential and contribute positively to their communities.
The London exhibition at Sotheby’s New Bond Street will take place from 19-30 September, and will showcase a majority of the 39 one-off lots donated by 35 Scotch whisky distilleries to this year’s auction. The total hammer price will be donated to charity.
The 2025 auction features unique bottlings from distilleries such as Port Ellen, Old Pulteney, and Glen Grant, along with one-off lots from independent bottlers, including Gordon & MacPhail, The Last Drop, and Kandoblanc.
In addition to the 15 lots announced in July, the auction has now revealed eight ‘member’ lots ahead of the London exhibition.
Member lots
Livingstone and Elixir Distillers, the creators of the 42-bottle limited edition Macbeth Collection, have collaborated to donate a 63-year-old Mortlach whisky titled William Shakespeare to the auction in 2025. The whisky clocks in at 43.2% ABV.
This unique bottling, illustrated and signed by Sir Quentin Blake, marks the only appearance of the playwright in the series. The lot has an estimated hammer price of £20,000-£26,000 (US$26,800-$34,800).
The Loch Lomond Group’s donation to the auction is a rare collection of four 1999 vintage single malts from Campbeltown’s Glen Scotia Distillery. The whiskies in the set, called Glen Scotia Four Quarters, feature four 25-year-old single malts distilled in November 1999.
Each whisky was initially matured in refill Bourbon barrels, but has been finished in different types of casks. The cask finishes include refill American oak (51.9% ABV), first-fill Caribbean rum (56.6% ABV), first-fill oloroso Sherry (52.9% ABV), and first-fill Pedro Ximénez Sherry (52.8% ABV).
Created in partnership with luxury Scottish jeweller Hamilton & Inches, the whiskies are encased in gold-plate detailed Glencairn crystal decanters in a bespoke oak display cabinet. The Glen Scotia has an estimated hammer price of £7,000-£14,000 (US$9,400-$18,700).
Whyte & Mackay has donated a 50-year-old Tamnavulin single malt to the Distillers’ 2025 auction. Released ahead of the brand’s 60th anniversary in 2026, the off-one bottling – created by master distiller Richard Paterson – marks the oldest single malt ever released from the Speyside distillery.
The whisky was distilled on 24 November 1972 and filled into American white oak Bourbon barrels. It was transferred in 2018 into a Graham’s 1994 Vintage Port pipe. The estimated price for the lot sits between £8,000-£16,000 (US$10,700-$21,400).
London-based independent bottler and retailer Berry Bros & Rudd has offered an exclusive release of two 30-year-old single malt bottlings from its Family Reserve to the auction: Balmenach and Caol Ila from 1979. The bottles are presented in one-of-a-kind packaging designed by Elvis & Kresse.
In addition to the 30-year-old whiskies, the lot includes a dining experience for a party of eight guests in the Director’s Dining Room, hosted by the chair Lizzy Rudd, and Ronnie Cox, former brands heritage director of Berry Bros & Rudd. The lot has an estimate of £5,000-£9,000 (US$6,700-$12,000).
Rudd commented: “This year, we’ve delved into the depths of our Family Reserve to present two rare and remarkable single malts – each with a distinct personality – from the revered Caol Ila and Balmenach distilleries. And this offering is more than just exceptional whisky. In a meeting of tradition and innovation, we’ve teamed up with sustainable luxury pioneers Elvis & Kresse to create bespoke packaging. Exceptional spirits, meaningful design – enjoy the whisky and take the story with you.”
For its third contribution to the Distillers auction, Bruichladdich has donated a bottling of Biodynamic Barley 2013 Cask. The lot’s hammer price estimate sits at £10,000-£20,000 (US$13,400-$26,800).
Adam Hannett, master blender of Bruichladdich Distillery, said: “At Bruichladdich Distillery, we’re committed to reconnecting land and dram, and our work with biodynamic barley is the epitome of this distilling philosophy.
“Using fully traceable barley from the carbon-positive Yatesbury House Farm, Wiltshire, this spirit is not only extraordinary in flavour – with the sweet malt working exceptionally well with Bruichladdich’s signature, fruity character – but supports sustainable farming, healthy soils and regenerative agriculture. A truly unique and delicious spirit, and the perfect example of seeking flavour while reducing our impact. The pursuit of something bigger than whisky.”
For the 2025 auction, Isle of Raasay has donated a unique cask ownership experience, which includes a two-night stay at the distillery’s new luxury accommodation ‘Na Bothain’, and a filling and ownership of an oloroso Sherry hogshead, a cask type never offered before by the distillery’s cask programme.
The experience also features chef-prepared meals served with a view overlooking the Cuillin Mountains of Skye. The estimated value for the lot is £5,000-£10,000 (US$6,700-$13,400).
Ballindalloch Distillery returns to the rare whisky auction with Ballindalloch 2014 Cask no 3 ‘Sunrise Over The Ben’. Drawn from the third cask ever filled at the distillery, the release is the oldest Ballindalloch in existence, specially selected by Guy Macpherson-Grant.
The 2014 vintage was aged in a first-fill Bourbon barrel and finished in a red wine barrique. The bottle is set in a piece of antique crystal cullet, created by glass artist Giles Lawson-Johnston.
Last of the eight member lots, a single malt titled Elementum, was donated by The Borders Distillery. Created explicitly for The Distillers One of One charity auction, the whisky was aged in a combination of American Bourbon and French oak ex-Douro Valley wine casks, and is presented in a unique 21-litre repurposed ceramic vessel by Scottish artist Vicky Paul. The hammer price sits between £10,000-£15,000 (US$13,400-$20,100).
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