Distillers One of One Auction 2025 Whisky Feature
The date of the third event of the world’s leading charity auction of rare Scotch whisky, ‘The Distillers One of One’, has been announced: the live auction in partnership with Sotheby’s will take place on Friday, 10th October 2025 at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh and the first lots have just been announced.
Image – Aberfeldy 49 Year Old Single Cask
Distillers One of One auction 2021
Since its inaugural auction in 2021, the unwavering commitment from donors behind The Distillers One of One has helped raise an impressive £4.3 million / $5.25 million for charity, primarily supporting the Youth Action Fund, which provides long-term opportunities to disadvantaged young people across Scotland. To date, more than 3,300 young lives have been positively benefitted through access to education, employment, mentorship, and life skills development.
In total, there are 36 esteemed donor companies, whose Scotch Whisky distilleries work collectively with a shared spirit of generosity and support, in the name of philanthropy to offer 40 exceptional, one-off, never-to-be-repeated auction lots, with as in previous charity auctions, 100% of the hammer price donated to support The Distillers One of One charity work.
All of the lots will be unveiled between now and September. Let’s just briefly look at some early confirmed lots.
Distillers One of One Auction 2025 – Port Ellen whisky
Diageo is donating a unique Port Ellen whisky, encapsulated within a bespoke glass sculpture, for this year’s auction. This rare artwork is inspired by the intricate chemistry of smoke and the natural elements that go to shape its flavour.
Reopened last year, Port Ellen whisky on Islay is celebrating its 200th anniversary with new experimental trials exploring flavour nuances through an innovative project. This Single Malt release lot is part of that ongoing journey, delving into the flavour and character of smoke in Scotch whisky. It represents an impeccable whisky expression of Port Ellen, standing as a totem of the spirit and the place that worldwide whisky lovers revere.
The whisky forms only part of the lot as the auction lot also includes an exclusive experience at Port Ellen Distillery for the buyer and three guests. The visit centres around a bespoke Atlas of Smoke tour, offering a deeper exploration of Port Ellen.
Estimate: Yet to be determined.
Image – Port Ellen distillery
Distillers One of One Auction 2025 – ‘The Glen Grant Eternal 77-Year-Old’
Campari Group has revealed ‘The Glen Grant Eternal 77-Year-Old’, a rare single malt Scotch whisky presented in a hand blown glass magnum decanter. This 77-Year-Old from The Glen Grant distillery is the oldest whisky presented in this year’s auction.
Bottled at 43% ABV and drawn from a single Sherry seasoned European oak Butt filled in 1948, this masterpiece captures a rich fruity character shaped over seven decades.
On the nose, an abundance of ripe berries merge with dry spice and deep oaky notes. Aromatic Seville oranges, syrupy apricots, wood spice and warm earthy smoke define a truly distinctive taste.
Inspired by the distillery’s expansive Garden of Splendours and the maturing cask, the design of the handcrafted vessel reflects a developing seed pod. The glass structure appears almost organic, with the whisky seemingly growing beyond the protective silver cage, symbolising how the whisky has flourished and evolved within the cask.
Estimate: Yet to be determined.
Image – ‘The Glen Grant Eternal 77-Year-Old’
Distillers One of One Auction 2025 – ‘The Glenlivet SPIRA’
Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky, presents two distinct lots this year, from The Glenlivet and Aberlour distilleries.
The Glenlivet introduces its oldest and most distinctive expression from the distillery to-date: ‘The Glenlivet SPIRA’. This single malt lot is presented in the timeless Spira decanter (‘spiral’ in Latin), an artistic vessel inspired by the dance of the vapours within The Glenlivet’s iconic stills and the flowing River Livet, embodying the distillery’s signature elegance and smoothness. It represents the pinnacle of craftmanship and unwavering pursuit of liquid perfection that defines The Glenlivet.
Within the stunning decanter lies a 60 Year Old whisky, distilled in 1965 and matured for six decades in a single hogshead cask.
Estimate between £60,000 – £110,000.
Distillers One of One Auction 2025 – ‘The Mouth of the Chattering Burn’
Aberlour is proud to debut their oldest treasure ever released, ‘The Mouth of the Chattering Burn’, a name inspired by the ancient Gaelic meaning of Aberlour itself.
This remarkable 53-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky was distilled in 1967 and matured for over half a century in a single cask. The exceptional single malt is presented in a hand-blown magnum glass decanter, crafted by renowned Swedish master glass-blower Micke Johansson in collaboration with master mould-maker Gunnar Englund, with intricate carvings on its surface by glass artist Simon Holm.
The decanter is presented on a bespoke presentation display that repurposes the original hand-carved tree mould it was created in. A true one of one decanter, never to be repeated. This remarkable release, born from a single cask, encased in a handcrafted vessel, and paired with its original mould, stands as an incomparable testimony to rare, ancient craft and legacy.
Estimate between £20,000 – £40,000.
Image – ‘The Mouth of the Chattering Burn’
Coming soon
Further lots will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Beanie Espey-Geraedts, MD of Distillers One of One
Announcing the date and location of the auction, Beanie Espey-Geraedts, MD of Distillers One of One, stated:
The work being done by the Youth Action Fund is truly impressive, and the results speak for themselves – the scale of impact is really incredible.
2025 has already brought its share of surprises and uncertainties on the global stage, and the whisky industry is feeling those effects too. That’s why we are hugely grateful to all the donor brands and sponsors who have come together once again in support of this unique philanthropic endeavour, tokeep raising funds for such a vital cause. Each donor is dedicating significant time, care, and resources to craft truly unique lots – and we can assure you, this year’s line-up is raising the bar once more!”
Distillers One of One 2025: Participating Founder Donors (in alphabetical order)
- 1. Bacardi – John Dewar & Sons: Aberfeldy and Royal Brackla
- 2. Suntory Global Spirits: Laphroaig
- 3. Brown-Forman: The Glendronach
- 4. Campari Group: The Glen Grant
- 5. Chivas Brothers: The Glenlivet and Aberlour
- 6. Diageo: Port Ellen
- 7. Gleann Mór
- 8. Gordon & MacPhail
- 9. International Beverage: Old Pulteney
- 10. KANDOBLANC
- 11. The Last Drop
- 12. William Grant & Sons: Ladyburn and House of Hazelwood
Further information
If you are a keen collector of rare whiskies, or just interested in all things whisky-related, I urge you to visit the Distillers’ One of One website and peruse the lots on offer as they are announced – you may just find something that takes your fancy!
If you decide to bid for something, I wish you every success, as by doing so, you will be supporting a very worthy cause.
To register interest in this auction, visit the Distillers’ One of One website for further information.