Just a week after its maiden single malt release, Ainnir, sold out within 36 hours, Nc’nean Distillery has obliterated the world record for a first bottle from a new distillery to be sold at auction.
The new, independent, organic distillery auctioned bottles #1-10 of Ainnir on Whisky Auctioneer with Bottle #1 fetching an incredible hammer price of £41,004. This is quadruple the original record held. In total, the auction raised over £92,000 for charity.
The liquid, which is made exclusively from organic Scottish barley, attracted significant attention globally with over 852 bids from 13 countries. Additional to the £84,004 raised by the auction, a contribution of £8,560 was added to the result by the host, Whisky Auctioneer. The online whisky auction specialist donated the 10% buyers’ commission plus fees from registrations during the course of the four-day auction to the grand total raised.
Annabel Thomas, founder of Nc’nean, said: “We could not be happier with the success of this auction. I’m really proud that Nc’nean has been able to give something back to support charities and the hospitality industry that have been particularly hard hit recently. Proceeds will go to Trees for Life, The Drinks Trust, The Ben, The Scottish Farm Land Trust and Morvern Community Trust – local, sustainability and hospitality industry organisations that are close to our heart and deserve our support.
“Our maiden bottling has now completely sold out. Watch this space for the next chapter in the Nc’nean story, we have some exciting announcements ahead.”
Iain McClune, founder of Whisky Auctioneer commented: “This is a fantastic result. The significant interest shown by our global community of whisky lovers and connoisseurs comes as no surprise, the first release from a forward thinking and exciting young distillery is an enticing prospect, as the generous bidding and record breaking price for bottle #1 attests.
“We are incredibly proud to have hosted this auction and to contribute to the funds raised for Nc’nean’s chosen charities. We hope that these donations will make a real difference to their important work during such difficult times.”
Ainnir, Nc’nean’s first ever single malt whisky release is an unpeated, smooth and elegant single malt whisky made exclusively from organic Scottish barley. A marriage of five casks bottled at a natural cask strength (60.3%) and not chill-filtered or coloured. It is made in a distillery powered by 100% renewable energy and is bottled in a 100% recycled glass bottle.
Colin Mackenzie-Blackman, Head of Fundraising and Engagement at Trees for Life, said: “We are delighted that Nc’nean have partnered with us and congratulate them on such a successful auction. This generous contribution will make a real, tangible difference to our mission to rewild the Scottish Highlands, enabling wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive”
Whisky Auctioneer’s auctions are world leading and record breaking. Unmatched in auction volume, variety of bottles offered, prices achieved, global reach, service standards upheld and broadness of knowledge and expertise, the company is truly a global authority.
To find out more and to register to take part in upcoming auctions please visit
www.whiskyauctioneer.com
To find out more about Nc’nean, please visit www.ncnean.com
