William Grant & Sons has put together over 300 items from the archives of its most loved brands for the #STANDFAST Charity Auction, raising money for The Drinks Trust and The BEN Scotland, helping get bartenders back to work and supporting the On Trade.
Items range from rare and aged liquids to distillery visits, bartending equipment and even a hand-built motor car collaboration between Morgan and The Balvenie.
On top of this, anyone who bids will be automatically entered into a prize draw to be in with the chance to win top quality cocktails delivered to your front door, to shake up your socially distanced garden gatherings, served up directly from the Monkey Shoulder Mixer Truck.
To find out more about the auction and how to bid, as well as more information on the charities who will benefit, please visit our dedicated charity page.
This week, we went behind the scenes at Whisky.Auction HQ to speak to some of the team members about their favourite items in the auction.
The Balvenie Morgan
“Obviously my favourite lot is The Balvenie Morgan, an incredible collaboration between two incredible brands steeped in history. If that wasn’t enough, the car is the 4-seater model, which is no longer made. Finally, a chance to break out the flat cap and scarf, strap on the goggles and head off for a drive along some winding roads whilst taking in the Highland scenery (hopefully without the rain)!”
“I also think the Hendrick’s Home Bar Kits and Monkey Shoulder Telescopic Bar Spoons are a great starter for anyone using their spare time to experiment with some new cocktails at home.” Scott, Valuer.
The Glenfiddich 1992 22 Year Old Cask No.8 #Standfast
“There aren’t huge numbers of Glenfiddich single casks on the market, and The Glenfiddich 1992 22 Year Old Cask No.8 #Standfast is a particularly special one. One of only 18 bottles, it was finished in a rum cask, similar to their core range Glenfiddich 21 Year Old, which I’m particularly fond of.”
“I also love the look of the Grant’s Scotch Whisky Vintage Tin Bar Sign, which harks back to the 1950s era. These old bottles and advertising are absolutely fascinating and the tin bar sign is the next best thing if you can’t get your hands on a bottle from this period.” James, Brand Development Executive.
Become a Malt Master for the Afternoon – The Balvenie Blending Lab
“Having the chance to become a Malt Master with The Balvenie for an afternoon and learn from both David. C. Stewart MBE and his apprentice, Kelsey McKechnie, is a dream come true for any whisky enthusiast. Getting the opportunity to understand the process, history and chemistry behind the liquid is definitely an exciting prospect. Putting all of that together in an afternoon culminating in the creation of your own ‘dream whisky’, and to actually see the process from start to finish, it’s euphoric.” Elena, Showroom Assistant.
An All-Expenses Paid Trip for Two to the Hendrick’s Gin Palace
“The most extraordinary items you can bid on in this auction have got to be the experiences. Distillery visits are always a treat for any spirits enthusiast, but these are ‘money can’t buy’ opportunities to really get a truly unique experience. I’ll be keeping a particularly close eye on the trip for two to the Hendrick’s Gin Palace. Hendrick’s is to open its secret magical Gin Palace gates to two lucky people and that’s a privilege you can’t ordinarily experience. You get to join Master Distiller Ms Lesley Gracie, spend hours in the greenhouses learning about everything Lesley has grown and there’s even a magnificent bar! You’ll also spend a night enjoying cocktails in Glasgow hosted by the gin ambassador and the prize includes return flights to Glasgow and a two-night stay in a 4* hotel with breakfast!” Isabel, Auction Director.
Sailor Jerry Eastwood Airline Electric Guitar
“I think there’s a lot of very cool experiences up for grabs, but my favourite item has to be the Sailor Jerry Eastwood Airline Electric Guitar. As a trained musician myself, it was great to get my hands on the guitar before the auction went live for a quick test drive. The mother-of-pearl fret markers are a really nice touch. The guitar itself is modelled on the Supro Airline Tremolectric, made by Valco in the 1960s. It’s a great functioning piece of memorabilia!” Roberto, Cellar Manager.
The Connaught Bar Cocktail Experience
“For me, the Connaught Bar Experience is surely one of the best lots in the auction. They have an award winning team that never fails to deliver a great experience, having visited the hotel bar many times myself. I’m in no doubt they will do magical things with Grant’s product portfolio paired with both their amazing customer service and unrivalled bartending skills.” Diego, Old & Rare Spirits Consultant.
Tullamore D.E.W. 18 Year Old #Standfast Special Edition
“The chance to win both the Tullamore D.E.W. 18 Year Old #Standfast Special Edition and a virtual tasting with Global Brand Ambassador John Quinn is amazing! This would be nicely paired with a set of Tullamore D.E.W. Ceramic Sipping Cups, playing on the tradition of pairing whiskey with beer, which the Irish are very famous for of course.” Gemma, Senior Auction Administrator.
Reyka Vodka Tandem – Avocet Viking
“The #STANDFAST Charity Auction is full of fantastic lots, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have most of them pass through my studio. I really like the look of the Reyka Vodka Tandem Bicycles and what looks to be an amazing and highly coveted Weekend in Iceland with Reyka Vodka, which might also be a chance to see the elusive Northern Lights. I’ll more than likely end up with a pair of Monkey Shoulder Telescopic Bar Spoons!” Seb, Photography.
A Weekend in Iceland, the Home of Reyka Vodka Hosted by Reyka Brand Ambassador Fabiano Latham
“The idea of this incredible trip to Iceland really appeals to me! My only previous experience of it as a place is touching down at the airport en route to Greenland in my early twenties. The idea of thermal springs, Northern Lights and Reyka Vodka martinis holds a far greater appeal now that I’m in my forties!
“I’d also be really keen to get my hands on one of the Apollo Verge Mountain Bikes (I’m not trusting enough to contemplate a tandem!) Rather annoyingly I had my last bike stolen a few months ago, so this would be both a great replacement, and a welcome reminder of a much-loved Apollo bike I owned many moons ago.” Jeremy, Auction Manager.
