Macleans mark world record row with 34YO whisky
The Maclean Foundation has unveiled its fourth bottling: a 34-year-old Auchroisk whisky, celebrating the Maclean brothers’ world record-setting row across the Pacific Ocean.
The foundation was established by whisky expert Charles Maclean MBE and his three sons, Jamie, Ewan, and Lachlan. The charity’s mission is to transform whisky and adventure into clean water and a lasting impact.
On 30 August 2025, the brothers arrived in Cairns, Australia, after completing a 9,750-mile row from Lima, Peru. This unsupported journey lasted 139 days and is reported to have set a new world record for the fastest human-powered crossing of the Pacific Ocean.
The brothers completed their row before reaching their £1 million (US$1.3m) target, which was achieved in the following days thanks to more than 14,000 donors. The funds will support clean water projects for more than 40,000 people in Madagascar.
To celebrate the achievement, the foundation has introduced a 34-year-old single malt whisky from the Auchroisk distillery in Speyside.
The spirit was laid in a virgin oak cask on 15 August 1991 and bottled at 44.5% ABV.
The whisky cask was donated by the distillery’s owner, Diageo, and hand-selected by Charles, who described it as “far and away the finest example of Auchroisk I have ever encountered – rich and sumptuous, sophisticated and multi-layered, entirely satisfying.”
The labels for each bottle were designed by the creative agency Contagious, specialists in branding, packaging, distillery experiences, activations, and education within the drinks industry.
Limited to 248 bottles at £349 (US$462), Auchroisk 1991 34-year-old will be available exclusively from Royal Mile Whiskies.
Clean water mission
Every bottle sold will also provide clean water for life to at least one person in Madagascar.
Eldest brother Ewan Maclean said: “We are so grateful to Diageo for donating the cask. When we rowed into Cairns to hundreds of people cheering, we had no idea this whisky was being bottled for us back in Scotland.
“To come home and see it – and to know it will fund even more water projects – is overwhelming in the best possible way, as is the support we’ve received from the entire whisky industry.”
Auchroisk is the latest distillery to support the foundation’s cause, joining previous charity bottlings from Ardnamurchan, Glen Scotia, and Isle of Raasay.
Ewan Andrew, president of global supply and chief sustainability officer at Auchroisk Distillery, added: “We’re proud to support the foundation with this cask, who share our mission of improving access to clean water in communities.
“Water is our most important ingredient, but it is also a precious shared resource that is facing increasing pressure in many parts of the world. Real change comes through collective action, and the Maclean Foundation is showing just what working in partnership can achieve.”
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