Unique single malt on offer

St Columba’s Hospice Care is offering whisky enthusiasts the unique opportunity to own a piece of Leith history.

The Edinburgh charity is set to auction an exclusive cask of Single Malt whisky from The Bonnington Distillery, the first Single Malt distillery in Leith for nearly 100 years.

Generously donated by local whisky experts, Cask88, the cask and accompanying ‘Rare and Old Whisky’ tasting experience will be sold during a live auction at the Hospice’s flagship fundraising dinner, Carnival: Dinner to Make a Difference, hosted by Grant Stott and being held in the city’s Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa on 1 March.

Commissioned in 2019, production began at the Leith distillery in March 2020. Their first expression, released in January 2024 sold out within hours and demand for the cask has grown since the release. Water used in the distillation process is locally sourced from an ancient aquifer located 147 metres below the distillery.

The auction prize is also paired with a Rare and Old Whisky tasting for six people. The invitation-only Whisky Library experience offers guests with an intimate, candle-lit setting in which to sample some of Scotland’s best single cask drams.

Opening bids are invited from £2,500. Notes of interest should be directed to St Columba’s fundraising team before noon on Friday 1 March.

Jon Heggie, Director of Income Generation said: “We’re thrilled to offer our community this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own their own cask of Whisky. With the distillery located just a few miles from the Hospice we knew it was the perfect pairing and thank Cask88 for their generosity and support.”