The Distillers One of One has revealed the first lots ahead of its third auction, which will be held at Hopetoun House on 10 October 2025. Run in collaboration with auctioneer Sotheby's, the charity auction will feature 40 lots from 36 donors.
Since its inaugural auction in 2021, the Distillers One of One auction has raised £4.3 million. Proceeds from the auction primarily go to the Youth Action Fund, which was which was set up in 2022 by the Distillers’ Charity, the philanthropic arm of the Worshipful Company of Distillers. The Fund supports young people from into work, training, or education through its partner charities.
Beanie Espey-Geraedts, managing director of Distillers One of One, commented: “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, to keep 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 lineup is raising the bar once more!”
Jonny Fowle, global head of spirits at Sotheby's, added: “Distillers One of One is the apex at which whisky meets art and luxury. It is remarkable that so many whisky brands have generously donated pieces of such high age, high quality and highly creative concepts, merging the most historic Scotch whiskies with breathtaking and innovative designs. These lots incorporate everything imaginable, from glass art and tailoring to watercolours and photography. Being entrusted, once again, to present these whiskies to the world’s most dedicated collectors, all to raise money for a worthy cause, is a privilege.”
Of the expected 40 lots to be auctioned in 2025, 15 have been announced from the Distillers One of One 2025 participating founder donors, several of which will be the oldest-ever whisky ever to be released from their respective distilleries.
Among the lots is a Port Ellen single malt, donated by Diageo to mark the distillery's 200th anniversary. Port Ellen reopened last year after 40 years of silence. It is now working on new project Atlas of Smoke, exploring smoke in Scotch whisky. The lot includes a bespoke tour at Port Ellen.
The oldest lot to be revealed is the Glen Grant Eternal 77 Years Old, which is presented in a handblown glass magnum decanter inspired by the distillery's 'Garden of Splendours'. The whisky is drawn from a single sherry-seasoned European oak butt filled in 1948. Campari Group says that over its more than seven decades of ageing, the whisky has developed notes of ripe berries, dry spice, oranges, and earthy smoke.
The Glenlivet has released what Chivas Brothers calls "its oldest and most distinctive expression from the distillery to date". The Glenlivet Spira is presented in a Spira decanter, which is inspired by the vapours inside the distillery's stills and the River Livet. Inside is a 60-year-old whisky, distilled in 1965 and matured in a single hogshead cask.
Another oldest-ever expression comes from Aberlour. Named 'The Mouth of the Chattering Burn' — the Gaelic meaning behind 'Aberlour' — the 53-year-old single malt was distilled in 1967. It is presented in a decanter by master glassblower Micke Johansson in collaboration with master mould-maker Gunnar Englund, with carvings by glass artist Simon Holm.
From the Glendronach comes Arias in Time, a collection of four whiskies selected by master blender Rachel Barrie from four different oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks. The distillery says the whiskies form a "symphonic journey through time" from the 1990s back to the 1960s. To complement the collection, artist Osanna Visconti has created a bronze sculpture to reflect the heritage and character of the Glendronach.
Suntory Global Spirits has entered Laphroaig Capsule, a 40-year-old whisky distilled in 1980 and 1981 and described as "a vital chapter in Laphroaig's story". It was first matured in oloroso sherry-seasoned and ex-bourbon American oak casks for 26 years before being vatted together until 2022. It is bottled in a green 1.5-litre crystal decanter by Glencairn Crystal.
A set of three bottles has been donated by Gordon & MacPhail. The collection includes a Gordon & MacPhail 75 Years Old from Glen Grant, a Benromach 52 Years Old, and the Cairn 3 Years Old — the latter being the first-ever single malt from the distillery. The trio marks Gordon & MacPhail's 130th anniversary, celebrating its years of whisky expertise.
Entered by Dhavall Gandhi's Kandoblanc is Dragon in Clouds, a piece enclosing a 60-year-old single malt Scotch whisky "chosen for its symbolic resonance with the dragon". Its decanter is made using Japanese and Venetian techniques, and becomes the inaugural Yukari creation from the brand.
William Grant & Sons has donated a lot from lost distillery Ladyburn, which was operational only from 1966 to 1975. Bottled from a 1966 sherry butt, the whisky entered is Ladyburn One of One 2025 — Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw. On the label is a photograph of Marilyn Monroe taken by her friend and photographer Sam Shaw in 1954.
Old Pulteney Polaris has also been crafted for the auction. Named for the North Star, the 47-year-old whisky is the oldest to be released by the distillery. It is presented in a handblown, blue glass bottle within a slate sculpture with a copper disc from a Pulteney still in its base.
Bottler the Last Drop is offering a private blending experience at Scone Palace: an opportunity to create a personal blend with master blended Colin Scott. The winning bidder will create a bespoke blended Scotch whisky aged more than 30 years, using the independent bottler's inventory and resulting in 12 hand-finished bottles.
John Dewar & Sons has donated Royal Brackla 54 Years Old, a whisky selected by malt master Stephanie Macleod. The spirit was filled into a single refill hogshead on 24 March in 1970. It has been bottled in a bespoke crystal carafe made by hand by La Cristallerie Royale de Saint-Louis.
Also from John Dewar & Sons is the Aberfeldy 49 Years Old Single Cask, another whisky selected by Stephanie Macleod for the auction. The oldest whisky ever bottled by Aberfeldy, the 49 Years Old was filled into a refill hogshead cask on 6 August 1975. It is also presented in a bespoke crystal decanter handmade by La Cristallerie Royale de Saint-Louis.
A "trilogy" of whiskies has been donated by Gleann Mór, named Rare Find — The Age of Change. The trio commemorates the legacy of the 1823 Excise Act, and comprises a 34-year-old Littlemill, a 43-year-old Miltonduff, and a 32-year-old Springbank. Whisky writer Charles MacLean has written about the "transformative era" of the Excise Act, as well as providing tasting notes for each whisky.
House of Hazelwood has entered a bespoke tailoring and whisky experience in collaboration with Huntsman of Savile Row. The experience, to take place either at Hazelwood House in Speyside or the Huntsman's Clubroom in London, will include a custom whisky blend and a bespoke cashmere tweed jacket. The winning bidder will work with both brands' experts to design both whisky and jacket.
Further lots are due to be announced. For more information, visit distillersoneofone.com.
