AN online whisky auction to raise money for seven whisky bars in Scotland during the COVID-19 crisis has raised over £35,000.
The Ardshiel in Campbeltown, Artisan in Wishaw, the Bon Accord in Glasgow, Dornoch Castle Hotel in Dornoch, Fiddlers Inn in Drumnadrochit, The Highlander Inn in Craigellachie and The Malt Room in Inverness will each receive £4,941.53 from the £35,300 total raised at the auction which took place on World Whisky Day (May 16).
Organised by Whisky Auctioneer, the digital event received 252 bids from countries all over the world and saw seven bottles of rare Daftmill 2008 Single Bourbon Cask #68 – the first single cask bottling to be released from Daftmill’s 2008 vintage stock – and a tour of the distillery go under the hammer.
Derek and Fiona Mathers, owners of the Artisan bar in Wishaw, said: “We are truly stunned at the generous bids that these Daftmill bottles received and are so grateful for the financial help from Whisky Auctioneer at this difficult time.
“Like most bars, we rely on sales from our customers and tourists, but due to current restrictions we have had to cancel 22 whisky functions. We hope that the sector can return to some sort of normality soon, but this generous donation has helped to ease our worries.”
Colin Thompson, managing director at Dornoch Castle Hotel, said: “We are delighted and amazed at the result of this auction and would like to thank everyone who bid for their efforts and contributions. It’s been a tricky time for our industry, and this initiative has certainly helped us all.”
Whisky Auctioneer will host its next online auction on Friday (May 22) and bidders will be able to snap up the first 20 bottles of whisky released from Aurora Spirit Distillery in Norway.
