Iconic Brora Distillery Showcases 50-Year-Old Whisky in Charity Auction Tribute to Scottish Wildcats
The iconic Brora Distillery pays tribute to its emblematic creature, the Scottish wildcat, in an upcoming Distillers One of One charity auction this October.
Brora Iris features a 1.5-liter decanter cradled in a hand-carved stone sculpture that mimics a wildcat’s eye. The decanter is filled with a 50-year-old Brora single malt, marking it as the oldest whisky the Highland distillery has ever released. Master blender Dr. Craig Wilson characterizes the 1972-distilled spirit as the epitome of Brora’s legendary reputation.
The limestone sculpture, designed by Scottish artist Michelle De Bruin, mirrors the original construction material of the Brora Distillery, established in the early 19th century. It is complemented by a bronze wildcat crafted by Jonathan Knight.
The artwork is projected to fetch between £250,000 and £500,000 during the auction, co-hosted by the Worshipful Company of Distillers and Sotheby’s.
The highest bidder will also earn an exclusive distillery visit for themselves and five companions, led by host Andrew Flatt.
Owned by Diageo, Brora resumed operations in 2021 following a nearly four-decade hiatus. During its dormancy, the distillery’s whiskies gained cult status in secondary markets, commanding record-breaking auction prices.
Jonny Fowle, Sotheby’s global head of whisky, lauds the Brora Iris: “This unique offering from Brora stands as one of the pinnacle lots in the auction. Its extraordinary quality is nothing short of awe-inspiring.”
The charity auction, set for October 5 at Hopetoun House, aims to raise funds for Scottish youth charities through the Distillers’ Charity, the charitable wing of the Worshipful Company of Distillers.
