Ewan McGregor Partners with Lochranza Distillery to Raise Funds for Charity

Renowned Scottish actor Ewan McGregor has returned to Lochranza Distillery to celebrate a special milestone—one deeply intertwined with both his personal journey and the distillery’s history. McGregor, who first toasted the inaugural cask of Arran Single Malt in 1998, is now partnering with Lochranza Distillery to release and auction a rare batch of whisky for a charitable cause.

Auctioning a Personal Cask for a Noble Cause

Ewan McGregor has teamed up with the distillery to bottle and auction 150 exclusive bottles from his personal 1998 cask, a special gift from the distillery. The auction will take place from September 27 to October 7, 2024, through Whisky Auctioneer, a global platform. All proceeds will be donated to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), a charity providing essential care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

The Whisky Auctioneer has waived the seller’s commission and will donate its 12.5% buyer’s commission to ensure the maximum possible funds go directly to CHAS.

“Ewan’s Cut” – A Rare 26-Year-Old Whisky

The whisky, named *Ewan’s Cut*, is a rare 26-year-old Arran Single Malt, matured in an ex-Sherry Hogshead cask. Bottled at 46% ABV, it is one of the oldest whiskies ever produced by Lochranza Distillery. The bottle design has been carefully crafted to reflect McGregor’s illustrious career, featuring references to his iconic roles in films like Trainspotting and Star Wars, as well as his epic motorcycle adventure Long Way Round.

Each of the 150 bottles is unique, with specially designed labels that read like mini film scripts—no two are alike. The first 24 bottles are extra special, as they have been personally signed by McGregor himself.

A Labour of Love: The Inspiration Behind Ewan’s Cut

The design and creative concept for *Ewan’s Cut* were brought to life by the Leith Agency, working alongside Ewan and his brother Colin McGregor. The collaboration was done on a pro-bono basis, showing the dedication of everyone involved in making this charity project a reality.

Commenting on the auction, McGregor shared his long-standing commitment to CHAS, stating:

“I have been involved with CHAS and visited their hospices many times over the years, so I know the unwavering care that both Rachel House and Robin House provide children and their families during their hardest moments. My hope is that this auction can raise a significant amount to ensure that these wonderful places are able to continue providing the service they do.”

Lochranza Distillery: A Legacy of Craftsmanship

Lochranza Distillery, part of Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd, celebrated 25 years of whisky-making in 2020. Founded in 1995, the distillery has maintained its independent status while building a global brand with its Arran Single Malt.

Stewart Bowman, distillery manager, fondly recalls McGregor’s involvement with the distillery back in 1998 when the first legal cask of Arran Single Malt was laid down on the island after more than 150 years.

Bowman said:

“We are thrilled to invite Ewan back to the distillery, where our story began almost 30 years ago, to present him with the finished bottles of Ewan’s Cut. Like Ewan, we remain close to our roots and are passionate about giving back to the community.”

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for Whisky Enthusiasts

This auction is a rare opportunity for whisky connoisseurs and fans of Ewan McGregor to own a piece of whisky history. With only 150 bottles available, each carrying a unique design and story, the limited-edition release is expected to draw bidders from around the world. More importantly, every penny raised will support the vital work CHAS does for children and families during some of their most difficult moments.

Who is CHAS?

Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) is a charity close to Ewan McGregor’s heart. Over the past year, CHAS directly supported 419 babies, children, and young people across Scotland, offering vital hospice care and support for families.

Rami Okasha, CEO of CHAS, expressed gratitude for McGregor’s unwavering support:

“We are delighted that Ewan, who is a long-standing supporter and friend of CHAS, has kindly chosen to donate all proceeds from this exciting auction to our charity.”

The auction will make a meaningful impact on the charity’s efforts to support families who are grappling with the unimaginable pain of losing a child.

Investing in Good Causes

The whisky industry has long been supportive of good causes, especially in Scotland. It recognises that Scotch whisky would not be where it is today without the support of the Scottish people so it regularly donates rare and fine bottles of whisky for auction.

For example:

• The One of One Whisky auction broke several whisky records whilst raising money for young people in Scotland last year.
• Glenfiddich released a limited edition whisky to raise money for Ukraine.
• The Bowmore ARC-52 was sold at auction with proceeds donated to charity.

UKV International AG is a whisky broker who works on behalf of clients to develop their passion for whisky.

We help secure whisky for investment and enjoyment, whether that is to add to a collection or discover fine and rare whiskies for consumption.

Speak to our whisky experts today and start your whisky journey!

Image Source