Scotland’s whisky industry is standing in support of Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir OBE in celebrating the third anniversary of his charity, set up to aid research into the causes of Motor Neuron Disease and potential cures, the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Following on from his diagnosis with MND, Doddie has raised more than £7 million for research and drug development.
From Wednesday 11 to Sunday 22 November, The Whisky Shop Auctions is hosting Doddie’s Whisky Auction online, where people are invited to register for the event. The auction is supported by some of the biggest names in whisky, forming a collection of unique and sought-after bottles.
Whisky lovers can register and the catalogue of bottles will be continuously updated here.
The auction includes a ‘Keepers of Quaich’ rare private single cask bottling of Strathisla, Talisker, Highland Park and Glenfiddich that is likely to attract whisky connoisseurs, collectors and investors alike, while the Worshipful Company of Liverymen have offered up two bottles of their Master's Cask single malt, of which only 200 bottles were produced.
An equally rare 38-year-old Royal Salute ‘Stone of Destiny’ will attract interest from both home and abroad, as will a bottle from one of Speyside's iconic distilleries, Balvenie Signature Batch No.1 from 2007, alongside some exceptionally rare Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenrothes and Glen Moray. Highly sought-after single malts from Scotland's island distilleries are well represented, with rare bottles from Tobermory, Arran, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Jura and Kilchoman.
Alongside those mentioned above, several independent brands have also contributed.
Scott Dickson, marketing director of The Loch Lomond Group who hatched the concept of ‘Doddie’s Whisky Auction’ said: “I watched Doddie last year on the BBC Sports Personality of The Year Awards and I made a commitment to myself to raise some awareness and more importantly funds for Doddie’s Foundation. I felt there was no better way than mobilising the scotch whisky industry into helping and with the help of Scott Hastings and Finlay Calder we brought this auction to life. Since starting this project it’s been amazing to see the generosity of the industry coming together to support the auction and proud that we have been able to do our bit and give something back.”
MN5DF founder, Doddie Weir, expressed his enthusiasm and delight at this venture finally coming together: “I do love a dram myself and for a while, I’ve had this idea of doing something with the various distilleries and brands, in thanking them for the support they continue to give the Foundation, but also to celebrate everything they have done for Scotland over the years.
“While many have staged individual challenges and events in recent months, the whole Covid-pandemic has greatly curtailed our more public and mass participation fund-raising activities.
“Doddie’s Whisky Auction will hopefully give a great many, from far and wide, a chance to support our work across all aspects of MND, and like the return of International rugby this autumn, show everyone we are back to tackle MND head-on.”
Valuer and broker David Robertson of Rare Whisky 101 added: “Doddie’s cause is one that has captured the attention of many throughout the country, particularly those of us within the whisky industry, whether as distillers, brand owners, retailers or auctioneers.
“Doddie, as a player and a champion of the fight against MND, has mirrored so many of the values we have in the whisky industry, in terms of tenacity, strength, global recognition and, of course, being proudly and fiercely Scottish, and we are all delighted to be joining forces with one of our own in such a great cause.”
From Wednesday 11 to Sunday 22 November, The Whisky Shop Auctions is hosting Doddie’s Whisky Auction online, where people are invited to register for the event. The auction is supported by some of the biggest names in whisky, forming a collection of unique and sought-after bottles.
Whisky lovers can register and the catalogue of bottles will be continuously updated here.
The auction includes a ‘Keepers of Quaich’ rare private single cask bottling of Strathisla, Talisker, Highland Park and Glenfiddich that is likely to attract whisky connoisseurs, collectors and investors alike, while the Worshipful Company of Liverymen have offered up two bottles of their Master's Cask single malt, of which only 200 bottles were produced.
An equally rare 38-year-old Royal Salute ‘Stone of Destiny’ will attract interest from both home and abroad, as will a bottle from one of Speyside's iconic distilleries, Balvenie Signature Batch No.1 from 2007, alongside some exceptionally rare Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenrothes and Glen Moray. Highly sought-after single malts from Scotland's island distilleries are well represented, with rare bottles from Tobermory, Arran, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Jura and Kilchoman.
Alongside those mentioned above, several independent brands have also contributed.
Scott Dickson, marketing director of The Loch Lomond Group who hatched the concept of ‘Doddie’s Whisky Auction’ said: “I watched Doddie last year on the BBC Sports Personality of The Year Awards and I made a commitment to myself to raise some awareness and more importantly funds for Doddie’s Foundation. I felt there was no better way than mobilising the scotch whisky industry into helping and with the help of Scott Hastings and Finlay Calder we brought this auction to life. Since starting this project it’s been amazing to see the generosity of the industry coming together to support the auction and proud that we have been able to do our bit and give something back.”
MN5DF founder, Doddie Weir, expressed his enthusiasm and delight at this venture finally coming together: “I do love a dram myself and for a while, I’ve had this idea of doing something with the various distilleries and brands, in thanking them for the support they continue to give the Foundation, but also to celebrate everything they have done for Scotland over the years.
“While many have staged individual challenges and events in recent months, the whole Covid-pandemic has greatly curtailed our more public and mass participation fund-raising activities.
“Doddie’s Whisky Auction will hopefully give a great many, from far and wide, a chance to support our work across all aspects of MND, and like the return of International rugby this autumn, show everyone we are back to tackle MND head-on.”
Valuer and broker David Robertson of Rare Whisky 101 added: “Doddie’s cause is one that has captured the attention of many throughout the country, particularly those of us within the whisky industry, whether as distillers, brand owners, retailers or auctioneers.
“Doddie, as a player and a champion of the fight against MND, has mirrored so many of the values we have in the whisky industry, in terms of tenacity, strength, global recognition and, of course, being proudly and fiercely Scottish, and we are all delighted to be joining forces with one of our own in such a great cause.”
