In the world of rare whisky, certain moments feel less like announcements and more like punctuation marks in an ongoing story. The Distillers One of One has become one of those moments. Since its inaugural sale in 2021, the biennial charity auction has raised £4.3 million for the Youth Action Fund, a Scotland-based initiative helping disadvantaged young people find pathways toward brighter futures. Now, as the 2025 edition approaches—set for October 10 at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh—the event has unveiled eight extraordinary lots, each carrying not only history in glass, but also an aura of artistry and philanthropy.
An Exhibition in London
For the first time, the Distillers One of One is stepping beyond Scotland ahead of the gavel. From September 19–30, Sotheby’s New Bond Street gallery in London will host a public exhibition of the auction’s treasures. Collectors, casual admirers, and whisky obsessives alike will be able to witness the craftsmanship up close—a fleeting chance, as these bottles will vanish into private hands soon after.
The Member Donors: Eight Singular Contributions
Among the 35 participating whisky houses, eight “Member Donors” are being revealed in detail. Their creations read like a cross between poetry and alchemy.
- Livingstone & Elixir Distillers present “William Shakespeare”, a 63-year-old Mortlach single malt, the sole appearance of the playwright in their acclaimed Macbeth Collection. Illustrated by Sir Quentin Blake and paired with his original signed folio, it’s estimated at £20,000–£26,000.
- Bruichladdich Distillery offers a Biodynamic Barley 2013 Cask. Fully traceable to Yatesbury House Farm in Wiltshire, the whisky embodies regenerative farming and sustainable craft. Fruity, malty, and future-facing, it’s valued at £10,000–£20,000.
- Loch Lomond Group contributes Glen Scotia Four Quarters, a suite of four vintage 25-year-old single malts, each cask-finished differently and housed in gold-detailed decanters crafted with jeweller Hamilton & Inches. Estimate: £7,000–£14,000.
- Isle of Raasay Distillery invites bidders into ownership itself, with a Cask Ownership Experience. Alongside a two-night stay on the island and chef-prepared meals, the winning bidder will hand-fill an Oloroso Sherry Hogshead of Raasay single malt—matured up to a decade. Value: £5,000–£10,000.
- Berry Bros. & Rudd reveal two 30-year-old Family Reserve single malts from Balmenach and Caol Ila, dressed in sustainable packaging by Elvis & Kresse. The lot includes an exclusive dinner for eight in the Director’s Dining Room. Estimate: £5,000–£9,000.
- Ballindalloch Distillery contributes “Sunrise Over the Ben”, their oldest whisky yet, drawn from Cask No. 3 (2014). Encased in antique crystal by artist Giles Lawson-Johnston, it embodies both Speyside heritage and contemporary craft.
- The Borders Distillery presents “Elementum”, a one-of-a-kind single malt matured in bourbon and French oak wine casks, contained in a 21-litre ceramic vessel painted by Scottish artist Vicky Paul. Valued at £10,000–£15,000.
- Whyte & Mackay bring out The Rare Tamnavulin 50 Years Old, distilled in 1972 and finished in a Graham’s Vintage Port Pipe. It stands as the distillery’s oldest ever release, estimated at £8,000–£16,000.
Beyond Whisky: A Legacy of Giving
The auction has always been about more than liquid rarity. Sponsors such as Glencairn Crystal, Simpsons Malt, and Forsyths return in 2025, joined by new partners Hamilton & Inches, The Luminaire, and headline sponsor W1M, whose role underscores the event’s stature at the intersection of wealth, culture, and charity.
On October 10, as the hammer falls at Hopetoun House, these whiskies will not just change hands—they will alter trajectories. Each bottle, each cask, each crafted vessel tells a story of Scotland’s past and present. Together, they’re helping to write another: one of opportunity, handed down not in drams, but in futures.
For more information on the Distillers One of One 2025, head over to the official website.
The auction has already unveiled a number of other lots earlier this year, including:
The Port Ellen Prism 46-Year-Old
Kandoblanc Unveils 60-Year-Old Dragon in Clouds
Old Pulteney Polaris 47-Year-Old
