Nc’nean broke a world record as the first bottle of its inaugural Ainnir single malt Whisky sold for $54,183 during an online auction. The Highland distillery auctioned off their first 10 bottles of the Scotch via Whisky Auctioneer to raise money for five charities.
The sale of bottle number one of Nc’nean Ainnir quadrupled the previous record held for a first bottle from a new distillery to be sold at auction.
The 10 bottles attracted more than 852 bids from 13 countries and raised over $126,000, including the $11,311 10% buyers’ commission donated by Whisky Auctioneer. All proceeds from the auction will be split between charities that support sustainability, the Morvern community and the UK hospitality industry, including Trees for Life, The Drinks Trust, The Ben, The Scottish Farm Land Trust and Morvern Community Trust.
Nc’nean founder Annabel Thomas stated, “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. 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.”
Founder of Whisky Auctioneer Iain McClune said, “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 number one 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.”
Only 1,320 bottles of the inaugural, no-age-statement whisky were released, and sold out online within 36 hours.
Founded on Scotland’s West Coast by Thomas and Derek Lewis in 2013, the Nc’nean Distillery runs entirely on renewable energy.
