The Charity Auction Featuring Scotland's Most Exclusive Whiskies for Bidding

Johanna Derry Hall acquires further insights on the exceptional lots contributed by The Glenlivet and Aberlour to The Distillers One of One auction, a charitable event occurring next month that provides whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to bid on some of the rarest drams ever issued.

Aberlour’s The Mouth of the Chattering Burn is the distillery's oldest release, having matured for over fifty years in a single cask

The Distillers One of One auction is an essential event for aficionados of rare and excellent whiskies. Conducted biennially, it is an auction of some of the most unique and uncommon whiskies produced by Scottish distilleries.

Whisky, especially Scotch whisky, has surpassed Cognac as the preeminent 'status spirit' globally. Jacques-Henri Brive, head of luxury at Chivas Brothers, asserts: 'Whisky's reputation as the quintessential emblem of taste, sophistication, and prestige has never been more pronounced.' The charity auction, founded by Chivas Brothers, features a remarkable assortment of unique editions auctioned to generate funds for The Distillers’ Charity and the Youth Action Fund, organizations dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged youth throughout Scotland.

This year, the whisky industry convenes for the auction on October 10 at Hopetoun House in Edinburgh. Included in the auction is Aberlour's oldest release, a 53-year-old single malt distilled in 1967, which has matured for nearly fifty years in a single cask. Designated as The Mouth of the Chattering Burn, Aberlour’s master distiller Graeme Cruickshank asserts that it exemplifies the dedication to the art of distillation and maturation that has characterized Aberlour’s legacy: ‘The individuals responsible for this whisky exhibited immense pride in their distillery, in the maturation process, and in the presentation of the whisky, ensuring it met the highest standards of quality.’ The pride has been transmitted through generations to the present moment.

Graeme Cruickshank, Aberlour's chief distiller, regards The Mouth of the Chattering Burn as a testament to history

The whisky is showcased in a handblown magnum glass decanter, created by famous Swedish glassblower Micke Johansson in partnership with master mould-maker Gunnar Englund, including elaborate carvings by glass artist Simon Holm. The liquid within represents a moment in time, asserts Cruickshank: ‘At that period, the distillery operated with merely two pot stills, characterizing it as a tiny artisan distillery - a tradition maintained by contemporary distillers.’

The Glenlivet SPIRA, a 60-year-old single malt distilled in 1965 and aged for sixty years in a single hogshead cask, is also up for auction. The schedule for the auction is exceedingly constrained for this bottling, which reaches its 60th anniversary on October 1; it will be sampled, filtered, and bottled into the SPIRA decanter, designed to replicate the movement of vapors within The Glenlivet’s stills, precisely in time for the auction.

The Glenlivet SPIRA is among the exquisite offerings available at The Distillers One of One auction in 2025

“We have monitored this cask for an extended period,” states The Glenlivet cask master Kevin Balmforth. We are aware of its quality. The cooper who constructed the cask must have been exceptionally skilled, as it has remarkably preserved its integrity, and we have been fortunate that the flavor has not been overshadowed by the wood.

The Glenlivet exhibits a distinct tropical-fruity signature, characterized as an exceptionally rich and flavorful whisky. Balmforth describes it as ‘aromatic with cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg,’ alongside an enhanced intensity of fruit flavors. “One must consume it differently, with only a small quantity in the glass, as the flavor intensity is so pronounced that merely a few drops suffice.”

Kevin Balmforth, cask master at The Glenlivet, asserts that the flavor of The Glenlivet SPIRA is 'extraordinary'

The distinctiveness of such deals, coupled with the craftsmanship of the decanters, renders the auction essential for whisky enthusiasts seeking exclusivity. Balmforth states, "Single casks invariably entail an element of intrigue." A comparable cask under analogous conditions will not exhibit the same flavor balance. The Glenlivet SPIRA is described as 'one cask in a million.' The stars have aligned, and there is nothing like to it. The flavor is amazing.

Cruikshank concurs on the 53-year-old Aberlour, stating, ‘James Fleming, the originator of Aberlour, espoused the adage "let the deed show," and we have remained faithful to that principle; we are allowing this whisky to demonstrate its quality independently.’ Generations of distillers have preserved that history, culminating in this Distillers' One of One lot. One individual will become the proud possessor of an exceptional rosary that embodies what we have acquired throughout the decades.

On October 10, heritage, artistry, and narrative converge in the tension of the auction process. “Auctions showcasing rare and unique whiskies are captivating as they merge the excitement of exclusivity with the chance to possess a genuine artifact of history,” states Brive. Our offerings represent this enthusiasm: highly matured, exceedingly rare whisky lots from two of the world's most renowned distilleries. This combination of rarity, legacy, and artistry, together with the benefit of supporting commendable causes, renders these auctions indispensable.