Sotheby’s and The Distillers’ Charity have announced a renewed partnership to host the next four editions of the biennial Distillers One of One Auction, extending their collaboration through 2033. The agreement, revealed on 22 April 2026, builds on a relationship that has raised £6.6 million ($8.4 million) for disadvantaged young people in Scotland since the auction’s launch in 2021.
The auction house has hosted the sale since its inception. Across three editions, the event has set 72 brand auction records and attracted bidders from more than 20 countries.
Send Me The 2026 Cask Buying Guide
"*" indicates required fields
Each sale features ultra-rare Scotch whisky releases where no two bottles are the same and no lot is ever recreated. A total of 49 companies have donated 120 unique lots to date.
The inaugural 2021 auction remains the most valuable charity whisky auction ever held, achieving £3.1 million ($4.1 million). Highlights included a four-bottle set of Glenfiddich from the 1950s, which sold for £1 million ($1.4 million).
In 2023, Bowmore’s STAC 55 Years Old fetched £562,500 ($679.3k). The 2025 sale saw The Glenlivet’s SPIRA 60 Year Old 1965 reach £650,000 ($871.4k), setting a new benchmark for the brand.
Donors span the Scotch whisky industry, including Diageo, William Grant & Sons, Chivas Brothers, Gordon & MacPhail and Suntory Global Spirits, among others.
All hammer proceeds go directly to charitable causes. Following the first auction, The Distillers’ Charity launched the Youth Action Fund, which engages more than 900 young people every year. During 2025 alone, 1,007 young people achieved a successful employability outcome, with over 3,100 outcomes recorded since the fund began.
Jonathan Driver, Chairman of Distillers One of One and trustee of The Distillers’ Charity spoke about the continued partnership: “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.”
Founded more than 70 years ago, The Distillers’ Charity is the philanthropic arm of The Worshipful Company of Distillers. Its grant-making work addresses rising poverty, mental health challenges and youth unemployment across Scotland.
Jonny Fowle, Global Head of Whisky & Spirits, Sotheby’s, said: “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. 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.”
The fourth edition of the Distillers One of One Auction will take place in Scotland in October 2027.
