Leading single malt Scotch whisky Glenfiddich has released an exclusive limited-edition expression to raise funds for the long-term support of the people of Ukraine.
The Glenfiddich Spirit of Speyside is a long-established bottling which honours the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
A special 2022 edition (The Cooper’s Cask) of just 460 bottles is being auctioned on Whisky Auctioneer from 5 to 10 May, with all proceeds go to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal*.
Whisky Auctioneer ships to over 70 countries and registration details for the Spirit of Speyside auction are available here.
Glenfiddich Global Brand Director Claudia Falcone said: “Our teams around the world have been so shocked by the continuing impact of the conflict on the people of Ukraine and neighbouring countries that we decided to do what we can to help.
“We have decided to use this year’s Spirit of Speyside exclusive bottling to raise as much money as possible to support the Disasters Emergency Committee and their invaluable efforts in helping Ukrainian citizens and refugees on their long road to recovery in the months ahead.”
Glenfiddich Malt Master Brian Kinsman created the special Spirit of Speyside Edition 2022 by selecting whisky from three different oak barrels: virgin American oak, ex-bourbon oak and refill American oak.
“This is a unique micro vatting of three hand-crafted barrels coopered by Ian MacDonald, former Head Cooper at Glenfiddich,” he said.
Kinsman described how MacDonald experimented with building a barrel using a variety of oak types to see how the casks would mature and how each type of oak would contribute to the final flavour.
“In 2022 we are delighted to reveal the results with a one-off release of 460 bottles from these very special casks,” he added.
“As the Glenfiddich Spirit of Speyside bottling is a highly sought-after release, we would expect that this rare 2022 edition will raise a great amount for such a worthy and important cause” – Whisky Auctioneer Head Curator and Spirits Specialist Joe Wilson
The Spirit of Speyside expression is described as “lively with a zesty fruitiness”. It is bottled at cask strength, has a 60% ABV and each bottle is numbered and signed by the Malt Master.
Whisky Auctioneer Head Curator and Spirits Specialist Joe Wilson commented: “As the Glenfiddich Spirit of Speyside bottling is a highly sought-after release, we would expect that this rare 2022 edition will raise a great amount for such a worthy and important cause.
“To ensure as much as possible can be raised from the auction to support those affected by the conflict in Ukraine, we will also be waiving our selling fees and donating the 10% buyer’s commission in addition to the hammer price raised.”
*Note: The Moodie Davitt Report is set to publish Travel Retail United, a fundraising initiative to help the Ukraine relief effort, later this week.
Via direct contributions and a recently launched Just Giving page, the project has raised almost US$50,000 for the same Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal in association with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).