October 9th 2024.
Scottish actor Ewan McGregor recently made headlines for his incredible act of generosity, raising a staggering £135,000 for charity. The funds were raised through an auction of 150 bottles of whisky from McGregor's own personal cask at Lochranza Distillery.
The auction attracted an impressive 543 bidders from 28 different countries, with over 7,000 bids being placed for the highly sought-after bottles. The first bottle, numbered one, fetched an impressive hammer price of £4,350, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a bottle of Arran single malt at auction.
The whisky in question is a rare 26 year old Arran Single Malt, which was matured in an ex-Sherry Hogshead cask. It is one of the oldest whiskies ever produced by the distillery, making it a truly special and unique offering.
McGregor's association with the distillery goes back to 1998, when he first toasted the inaugural cask of the malt. This cask was also the first legal cask to be laid down on Arran in over 150 years. As a gesture of appreciation, the distillery presented McGregor with his own cask, which has been maturing in their warehouse ever since.
The money raised from the auction will go to Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), a cause that is close to McGregor's heart. The hammer price of £119,893 was further boosted by a generous donation from Whisky Auctioneer, who waived their seller's commission and donated their 12.5% buyer's commission. This ensures that the maximum possible funds reach CHAS.
McGregor expressed his gratitude towards everyone involved in the auction, stating, "What a total. I just want to thank each and every one of our partners for putting the time, effort and work into this endeavour. CHAS has always been very close to my heart, and I am so proud that we were all able to raise such a sum for them. I know it's the children they help and their families who will benefit a lot from this - so thank you very much to everyone involved and to those that placed generous bids in the auction."
The bottle design and name were inspired by McGregor's impressive acting career, featuring references to his iconic roles in films like Trainspotting and Star Wars, as well as his memorable Long Way Round adventure. Each of the 150 bottle labels reads like a mini film script, making each one a unique and collectible item.
Euan Mitchell, Managing Director at Isle of Arran Distillers, expressed his delight at the success of the auction, stating, "We are absolutely delighted that the auction of 'Ewan's Cut' has successfully raised an incredible £135,000 for Children's Hospices Across Scotland. This project has been a journey close to our hearts since Ewan McGregor first joined us at Lochranza Distillery back in 1998. To see his private cask of Arran Single Malt contribute to such a worthy cause is truly special."
Mitchell also extended his gratitude to everyone who played a part in making the auction a success, stating, "It has been a privilege to collaborate with Ewan, Whisky Auctioneer, and the Leith Agency to bring this unique whisky to life, and we are deeply grateful for the support and generosity from everyone involved. The funds raised will make a significant difference in supporting the vital work of CHAS, helping families during their most challenging times."
Overall, this incredible act of generosity by Ewan McGregor and the success of the auction is a heartwarming reminder of the good that can be achieved when people come together for a worthy cause. To read more whisky news, be sure to subscribe to Scottish Field and stay updated on the latest developments in the world of whisky.
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