First look at multi million pound Distillers One of One 2025 charity auction - including 'pill-like' oldest Laphroaig

Scotsman

5 days ago

The Distillers One of One has revealed the first old, rare and unique lots for its highly anticipated third auction, set to take place on Friday 10 October 2025 at the historic Hopetoun House near Edinburgh, in collaboration with Sotheby's. The landmark charity auction will bring together the Scotch Whisky industry in a shared spirit of generosity and support, featuring 40 lots from 36 donor companies.
Since the initial auction in 2021, the Distillers One of One has established itself as the largest global charity auction of rare Scotch whisky ever staged.
The commitment from donors has helped raise £4.3 million to date, principally awarded to the Youth Action Fund, which aims to transform young people's lives in Scotland, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to reach their potential and make a positive contribution to their communities.
Thanks to this vital support, over 3,300 young people have been engaged since 2022, with approximately 1,000 young people supported each year and funding delivered at an average of £1 million annually.
The journey to lasting employability is often long and complex, and the sustained support provided through the Youth Action Fund has already led to 2,271 employability outcomes to date (June 2025), including employment, apprenticeships, further education, and structured volunteering.
Equally important are the 16,462 soft outcomes - such as increased wellbeing, motivation, and resilience - and 12,617 progression milestones achieved, including literacy and numeracy qualifications, work placements, mentoring, and financial management training.
These foundational achievements are critical stepping stones on the pathway to employment, and a testament to the life-changing impact this initiative continues to have on Scotland's young people.
At an action impact review in April 2025, we heard from some of the young people who have been supported by the fund through charities - Street League Aberdeen Foyer, Action for Children, Enable Works, Family Action in Rogerfield & Easterhouse (Fare), and the Talk About Trust.
Louise Stevenson, Youth Action Fund manager, explained some of the challenges faced by young people these days, saying: 'Challenges include mental health anxiety which naturally peaks at transition points in your life. But referrals to mental health services for young people increased by 50% between 2020 and 2023. Men are so overwhelmed that they cannot leave the house or engage socially.
"Community disconnection and a sense of belonging is critical to someone's well being, and yet, for many young people, the feeling of isolation is normal.'
Ms Stevenson added: 'The Scotch whisky industry's willingness to use its most-valuable assets in this collective philanthropic endeavour is truly humbling and unparalleled in our experience. The industry is having a transformational impact on the lives of Scottish young people who are struggling and at risk of not achieving their potential.'
Three of the young people who have been helped by the Fund and charities it supports included Lewis, who, through attending Street League (which uses sport to give support and skills) is now a personal trainer having undertaken higher education.
"Before attending Street League, Lewis suffered from bad anxiety and struggled to leave his home. Now he's in his 'dream job' , one he 'couldn't have imagined doing five years ago.'
Aberfeldy 49YO Single Cask
Laphroaig capsule Royal Brackla 50 year old Ladyburn Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw
Beanie Espey-Geraedts, MD of Distillers One of One, said of the charity work so far: '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 line-up 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.'
Lots this year include: 'The Glen Grant Eternal 77-Year-Old", a rare single malt Scotch whisky presented in a handblown glass magnum decanter; 'The Glenlivet SPIRA', this single malt is presented in the timeless Spira decanter ('spiral' in Latin), an artistic vessel inspired by the dance of the vapours within The Glenlivet's stills and the flowing River Livet; the 'Laphroaig Capsule' - a 40-year-old Laphroaig created from spirit distilled in 1980 and 1981 and presented in a flawless, green 1.5l crystal decanter, hand-blown by Glencairn crystal; the 'Aberfeldy 49 Year Old Single Cask' bottling, which has been exclusively selected for the Distillers One of One Auction 2025 and 'Ladyburn One of One 2025 - Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw' was selected the entry for the Distillers One of One 2025 auction: a single bottle that has been drawn from Cask 102092.