Whisky industry unites behind Doddie Weir charity in fundraising auction

Scotland's whisky industry is planning a special celebration for rugby legend Doddie Weir to mark the third anniversary of his motor neurone disease (MND) charity.

The Whisky Shop Auctions will be hosting Doddie's Whisky Auction online from 11 to 22 November in aid of the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which supports research into the causes of and potential cures for MND.

A collection of unique and highly sought-after bottles will go under the hammer to raise funds for Doddie's charity, which has raised more than £7 million for research and drug development since it was set up in 2017 following Doddie's diagnosis of MND.

Major companies in the distilling trade including Diageo, William Grant & Sons, Chivas Brothers, Whyte & Mackay, Edrington and Distell have contributed to the sale, along with several independent brands.

The auction includes a Keepers of the Quaich rare private single cask bottling of Strathisla, Talisker, Highland Park and Glenfiddich that is expected to attract connoiseurs, collectors and investors alike, while the Worshipful Company of Distillers has offered up two bottles of its Master's Cask single malt, of which only 200 bottles were produced.

Other lots include a 38-year-old Royal Salute Stone of Destiny and a Balvenie Signature Batch No. 1 from 2007, as well as rare bottlings from the likes of Macallan, Glenrothes, Glen Moray, Tobermory, Arran, Bowmore and Jura.

Whisky lovers can register for the auction online and view the auction catalogue at www.whiskyshop.com/auctions/doddies-charity-auction.

Scott Dickson, marketing director of the Loch Lomond Group, who came up with the idea for Doddie's Whisky Auction, said: "I watched Doddie last year on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards and I made a commitment to myself to raise some awareness and more importantly funds for Doddie's foundation.

"I felt there was no better way than mobilising the Scotch whisky industry into helping and with the help of Scott Hastings and Finlay Calder we brought this auction to life. Since starting this project, it's been amazing to see the generosity of the industry coming together to support the auction and proud that we have been able to do our bit and give something back."

In support of the auction, Doddie Weir OBE said: "I do love a dram myself and for a while, I've had this idea of doing something with the various distilleries and brands, to thank them for the support they continue to give the foundation, but also to celebrate everything they have done for Scotland over the years.

"While many have staged individual challenges and events in recent months, the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly curtailed our more public and mass participation fundraising activities. Doddie's Whisky Auction will hopfeully give a great many a chance to support our work across all aspects of MND, and like the return of international rugby this autumn, show everyone we are back to tackle MND head-on."

Valuer and broker David Robertson, of Rare Whisky 101, added: "Doddie, as a player and a champion of the fight against MND, has mirrored so many of the values we have in the whisky industry, in terms of tenacity, strength, global recognition and, of course, being proudly and fiercely Scottish, and we are all delighted to be joining forces with one of our own in such a great cause."

23 October 2020 - Bethany Whymark