As the new year dawns, we take a look at recent and current auctions in the world of whisky. Charity auctions are major feature of this month's auction round-up, with casks and bottles sold in aid of Scottish charities, and elsewhere Whisky Auctioneer is marking the quarter-century since the turn of the millennium in its December auction.
What you missed...
Whisky 1901
A cask donated by Whisky 1901 has raised £7,000 at a charity auction held in Edinburgh in November. The highest-price lot included in the auction, the cask held whisky from Tomatin Distillery, distilled on 6 May 2015 and with an ABV of 60.1% and an approximate yield of 281 bottles. The auction was held in aid of Leuchie, a Scottish respite charity which supports individuals and families living with a neurological condition.
Director of income & communications at Leuchie, Lana Bambridge, said: "We are very grateful to Whisky 1901 for donating a whisky cask which sold for a whopping £7,000, with two supporters splitting the bid. The money will help Leuchie provide its vital respite services and aim, to double our impact by 2026."
Coming up...
The Ben
The Scottish Drinks & Hospitality Benevolent Society Charity, known as 'the Ben', is auctioning bottles to raise funds over the festive season. With lots including a Glenfarclas with a unique label, Ben Nevis 1991 Single Sherry Cask 25 Years Old #3711, and Highland Park 1990 Vintage Release, there is single malt galore this year. For lovers of blends, there is the Famous Grouse 40 Years Old Blended Malt, as well as some outstanding grain whisky with 30-plus-year-old releases from North British and Cameronbridge.
Milennium bottlings
In its December auction, Whisky Auctioneer has a selection of whisky bottled for the new millennium. Released 25 years ago, the selection includes releases from some of the most collectible names in the industry. Highlights include the Springbank Millennium series as well as the less-seen Macallan 1949 Millennium Decanter 50 Years Old. Bottled in May 1999, this Macallan 50 Years Old was crafted by marrying three butts that were filled on the same day, 14 January 1949.
Port Ellen Queen’s Visit
The late Queen Elizabeth's visit to Port Ellen distillery on the royal yacht in 1980 was a key moment in the legendary Islay distillery’s history. It was made all the more historic by the bottling of a very rare 12-year-old Port Ellen single malt for the occasion. Only gifted to the attendees of that visit, it is the ultimate bottle for fans of the 'phoenix' distillery on Islay. This release is believed to have been the only distillery bottling produced in its years of operation, before its eventual closure and subsequent revival.
