Small Scotch distillery auctions first bottles

The malt countdown is truly on for Strathearn Distillery, which is set to become the first of the new wave of small distilleries in Scotland to launch its malt whisky with an exclusive online auction of the first 100 bottles.

Whisky Auctioneer based in Perth will host the live auction commencing August 23, which also marks Strathearn’s third birthday. The auction will run until December 1, 2016.  

Strathearn Distillery, which is based in Perthshire and widely considered one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries, is currently maturing artisan single cask, single malt Scotch whisky using traditional methods and ideas. In December, Strathearn’s whisky will reach three years old - the minimum age to be considered Scotch whisky.

Tony Reeman-Clark, founder of Strathearn Distillery says: "Strathearn is the first of a new generation of small distilleries to bring its single malt single cask scotch to market. With only 100 bottles this year an auction seemed like the only fair way to set a price. After all, what price would you put on bottle 001?"

The spirit is matured in small octave size (50 litre) casks to give the whisky a traditional and distinctive flavour. By using either peated or non-peated malt and varying the type of cask between sherry, rum or bourbon, each batch of whisky will be entirely unique.

Stuart McMillan, distillery manager at Strathearn Distillery said: “Scotch whisky fans from around the world will be able to own a piece of Strathearn history and because of this, we want to hand deliver bottle 001 to the lucky bidder. Here’s hoping they live somewhere exotic!”

While the whisky has been reaching maturation, Strathearn has been focused on creating other spirits, namely a range of four core gins, Uisge Beatha and Scotland’s first cider brandy giving Strathearn the deserving title of the home of craft spirits in Scotland.

The auction will run from 9am on 23 August until 9am on the 1 December on www.whiskyauctioneer.com. Post auction, Strathearn will host an exclusive dinner in the distillery grounds with all the winners to celebrate the first batch of their whisky.

For more information on Strathearn Distillery, visit www.strathearndistillery.com

22 August 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor