ONLINE BIDDING OPENS TODAY ON “THE DISTILLERS ONE OF ONE” INAUGURAL SALE, AHEAD OF LIVE AUCTION IN SCOTLAND ON 3 DECEMBER 2021
Unveiled in Full: 42 Lots of Extraordinary Scotch Whiskies and Experiences on Offer
Proceeds to Support Disadvantaged Young People in Scotland
Left: Bowmore Onyx 51 Year Old 1970;
Centre: A Talisker cask-end turned into an original artwork by Callum Innes;
Right: The Glencairn Ruby Tribute Blended Scotch Whisky
CATALOGUE AVAILABLE TO VIEW HERE
ONLINE BIDDING HERE
LONDON, 10 November 2021 – Online bidding opens today on The Distillers One of One sale, ahead of the live auction at Barnbougle Castle outside Edinburgh, Scotland on Friday 3 December 2021. For the first time since the announcement earlier this year of a six-year partnership between The Distillers’ Charity and Sotheby’s to host three biennial auctions under the name The Distillers One of One, the contents of the inaugural sale are now being unveiled in full. In total, the auction will present 42 lots of ultra-rare and unique Scotch whiskies and experiences, ranging in estimates from £1,000 upwards to £500,000 – all to be offered without reserve.
The highest value lot in the sale is a Talisker Cask of Distinction 1978, donated by Diageo and selected on account of its outstanding quality (est. £350,000-500,000). The 43-Year-Old cask of still-maturing Talisker single malt Scotch whisky is paired with a cask-end that has been turned into an original work of art by acclaimed Scottish artist and Turner Prize nominee Callum Innes – revealed here for the first time. Once the successful bidder chooses to bottle the cask, they will become the sole owner of one of the world’s rarest and most highly respected whiskies, with dedicated packaging featuring the artwork of Callum Innes, a first for Casks of Distinction.
Also newly revealed is the striking, hand blown black glass vessel housing 1.4l of the first ever 51 Year Old released by Bowmore along with a 100ml tasting sample, taking its inspiration from the terroir of its island home on Islay. This exceptionally rare and entirely unique single malt, matured in a barrel from 1970, is an encapsulation of time, with over half a century of craftsmanship, quality and character embedded in its genesis and story (est. £100,000-180,000).
A recent addition to the line-up is The Glencairn Ruby Tribute Blended Scotch Whisky. This Ruby encrusted decanter contains a one of one whisky blended by Richard Paterson – The Dalmore’s Master Blender – using contributions from some of the world’s most revered master blenders. All component whiskies of this blend were matured to in excess of 18 years and the final blend uniquely captures a true moment of whisky history (est. £5,000-10,000).
A one of one bottling of Littlemill Testament – incorporating stone from the original distillery and set in a unique case with hand blown 18th century glassware – is the distillery’s oldest release to date, with the liquid taken from a single distillation date of 4th October 1976. From this liquid, 250 numbered bottles were released, however a further four bottles were retained to create unique one-off editions that integrate either slate, glass, wood or stone from the original distillery into the release (est. £10,000-16,000).
Proceeds from The Distillers One of One auction will benefit the Youth Action Fund, which has been created by The Distillers’ Charity to transform the life chances of 16 to 25-year-old people in Scotland, empowering them to create positive change in their lives and communities. To achieve this, the trustees of Distillers’ Charity commissioned the social enterprise, Inspiring Scotland to undertake a detailed scoping report. They have curated, on behalf of the Distillers’ Charity, a small portfolio of charities for the Youth Action Fund, including:
Aberdeen Foyer, a charitable organisation supporting people towards independent living, learning and work.
The Alcohol Education Trust (AET), which works across the UK to keep young people safe around alcohol.
ENABLE Scotland, which delivers a range of support services across Scotland, including the ENABLE Works service which provides employment and skills support, assisting people with disabilities or other challenges into employment.
Street League, which uses the power of sport to support young people living in some of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities into work.
A full list of lots with estimates is attached.
The Distillers: One of One sale will begin at 13:30 GMT on 3 December. Online bidding starts today, 10 November.
About Sotheby’s Wine
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.
Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits totaled an outstanding $92 million in 2020, with over 15,000 lots sold across 41 sales – a nearly 50% increase in the number of auctions held in 2019. Over $60 million of wine and spirits were sold to online bidders in 2020 versus $28 million in 2019, with 85% of all lots offered finding online buyers. Demonstrating continued strength in Asia, Sotheby’s led the market in the region for the third consecutive year, with over 70% of the total bid amount in all Wine and Spirits sales attributed to collectors in Asia.
Sotheby’s Wine’s has had the privilege of auctioning numerous record-breaking wines and spirits in recent years, with 2020 alone witnessing new world auction records for any bottle of Japanese whisky, any bottle of whisky produced by the Dalmore Distillery, as well as any bottle of Cognac. Sotheby’s Wine currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most expensive bottle of spirits ever sold at auction.
In addition to auction, Sotheby’s Wine launched a retail business in 2010. With a retail store located in Sotheby’s New York headquarters and e-commerce at www.sothebyswine.com, Sotheby’s Wine offers a carefully curated selection of wines from the world’s most prestigious producers and important regions. Expertly assembled by our experienced specialists, the selection is built upon lasting relationships with winemakers from across the globe, with bottles that are ready for immediate consumption, in addition to investment-worthy wines from highly sought-after vintages. A second retail location opened in Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries in 2014.
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* Estimates do not include buyer’s premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.
Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby’s apps for iOS and Android
About The Distillers One of One
Launched in 2021, the Distillers One of One is a biennial series of auctions of Scottish whisky in aid of disadvantaged young people in Scotland. Led by The Distiller’s Charity, the philanthropic arm of The Worshipful Company of Distillers, and in partnership with Sotheby’s, the Scotch Whisky industry has gathered together to support philanthropy. Participating distilleries are donating ultra-rare whisky and experiences for sale at auction aiming to raise in excess of £1 million during the initial 3 December 2021 auction.
In order to help transform the life chances of young people in Scotland post pandemic, The Distillers’ Charity has created the Youth Action Fund. The proceeds from the Distillers One of One auction will be disbursed from the fund to a number of charities that focus on empowering Scotland’s young adults to create positive change in their lives and communities. Sotheby’s will also donate a portion of their buyer’s premium from the auction to The Distillers’ Charity.
About The Worshipful Company of Distillers
The Worshipful Company of Distillers (The Distillers) is an historic City Livery Company with a proud history and 21st century relevance. Established originally, to monitor and regulate commercial distilleries within a 21-mile radius of The City of London, The Distillers have changed with the times. Still at the heart of the distilling industry the focus is now very much on philanthropy and fellowship.
Today, the principal activity is to support relevant charitable causes, underpinned by giving back amongst the Livery, recognising the value of time and talent as well as money. Beyond this philanthropic scope, The Distillers is at the heart of the spirits industry, by inspiring the craft, understanding and enjoyment of distilled products through industry championship and fellowship.
From its formation as a corporation by Royal Charter in 1638, The Distillers were raised to the status of Livery Company in 1672, the 350th anniversary of this is in 2022. There are 110 Livery Companies in The City of London who play an active role in the life of The City.
About The Distillers’ Charity
The Distillers’ Charity (registered no. 1193683) is the philanthropic arm of The Worshipful Company of Distillers. The Charity’s vision is to make a difference especially to young people, and those within the distilled spirits trade, helping them to reach their full potential, improve their life chances and make a positive contribution to their communities. Distillers’ Charity mission is manifested through three distinctive grant-making areas:
Vocational Training & Education: to provide educational and development support to new and recent entrants to the UK spirits trade, encouraging high standards of distilling practice and service.
Livery & City giving: to fulfill our wider civic duties as a Livery, supporting the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, the Master’s charity and other good causes aligned with our vision.
Youth Action Fund: created by The Distillers’ Charity to use proceeds from The Distillers One of One auctions to support young people in Scotland, especially from disadvantaged backgrounds, to reach their potential and make a positive contribution to their communities.