The Distillers’ Charity and Sotheby’s announced the continuation of their partnership for the biennial Distillers One of One Auction, a leading charity whisky auction. 

Sotheby’s – which has hosted the sale since its inception in 2021 – will collaborate with The Distillers’ Charity on the next four editions of The Distillers One of One Auction, extending the partnership through 2033. Across the first three auctions, the event has raised £6.6 million ($8.4 million) for The Distillers’ Charity, enabling support for 4,582 disadvantaged young people across Scotland, as of end March 2026.

Celebrating the passion, craftsmanship and innovation at the heart of Scotch whisky, The Distillers One of One Auction brings together ultra rare releases from distilleries and producers across Scotland: no two bottles are ever the same, and no lot will ever be recreated. The three auctions held so far have set 72 brand auction records and attracted bidders from more than 20 countries, affirming the event’s global resonance. In all, 49 companies have generously donated 120 lots to date.

The inaugural 2021 auction remains the most valuable charity whisky auction ever held, achieving £3.1 million ($4.1 million) and setting the pace for the success of the two subsequent sales. Highlights included a four-bottle set of Glenfiddich from the 1950s, which sold for £1 million ($1.4 million) – a record for Glenfiddich. In 2023, Bowmore topped the sale with STAC 55 Years Old, the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery, achieving £562,500 ($679.3k). In 2025, The Glenlivet took centre stage with SPIRA 60 Year Old 1965 – the distillery’s oldest expression to date, presented in a 1.5 litre spiral decanter – which sold for £650,000 ($871.4k), setting a new benchmark for the brand.

The auctions have been made possible through the exceptional generosity of donors from across the Scotch whisky industry, including Bacardi – John Dewar & Sons, Brown Forman, Campari Group, Chivas Brothers, Diageo, Gleann Mór, Gordon & MacPhail, International Beverage, KANDOBLANC, Suntory Global Spirits, The Last Drop and William Grant & Sons, among many others.

Founded more than 70 years ago, The Distillers’ Charity – the philanthropic arm of The Worshipful Company of Distillers – is a fundraising and grant making organisation. Following the inaugural sale in 2021, it launched the Youth Action Fund, supported exclusively through proceeds from the biennial auction. Against a backdrop of rising poverty, mental health challenges and youth unemployment, the fund engages more than 900 young people every year, helping them achieve meaningful outcomes in employment, training or further education. 

Uniquely, 100% of the auction hammer proceeds go directly to charitable causes. Each Distillers One of One Auction raises funds to cover two years of work by the Youth Action Fund; during 2025 alone, a total of 1,007 young people achieved a successful employability outcome helping them to reach their potential, with over 3,100 employability outcomes for young people since the fund’s inception.

The fourth edition of the Distillers One of One Auction will take place in Scotland in October 2027, with further details to be announced in due course.

“The continuation of Sotheby’s partnership with The Distillers’ Charity as host of The Distillers One of One Auction reflects the strength of a collaboration built on shared values,” Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Whisky & Spirits, Sotheby’s, said in a news release. “Since 2021, the auction has brought together extraordinary whiskies, visionary distillers and an international community of collectors, united by a commitment to excellence and philanthropy. It has firmly established itself as a landmark event in the global whisky calendar, celebrating the creativity and innovation of the Scotch whisky industry while delivering meaningful, lasting impact through The Distillers’ Charity. 

“To stage a sale that not only showcases the very best of the whisky world but also makes such a tangible difference to young people and their communities across Scotland has been a career highlight.” 

“The nature of Collective Endeavour permeates all aspects of the Distillers One of One Auctions.  Since 2020 Sotheby’s has been an incredible partner, sharing the challenges of bringing the best of the Scotch Whisky Industry together for the best of causes,” Jonathan Driver, Chairman of Distillers One of One & Trustee of The Distillers’ Charity, added. “I am delighted that, in announcing the continuation of this long-term partnership with Sotheby’s, we will both ensure that the world’s pre-eminent Scotch Whisky Auction will continue to stand as a “Lighthouse” fixture in the global whisky calendar and continue the vital work to Transform Young People’s Lives through the funds raised. 

“We look forward to the auctions to come, with the unmatched support of Sotheby’s and backed by the generosity, skill and craftmanship of our donor companies and our highly valued sponsors. United in common cause to drive life-changing results.” 

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