Dining

Unique Ferg & Harris single malt finished in cognac cask to be auctioned for charity

Ferg & Harris Wings of Kintyre whisky and box

Edinburgh-based whisky bottler Ferg & Harris has revealed a one-of-a-kind single malt, dubbed Wings of Kintyre, created exclusively for this year’s Distillers One of One charity auction.

The biennial event, hosted in partnership with Sotheby’s, returns for its third edition on October 10 at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh, with proceeds supporting the Youth Action Fund.

The auction, which began in 2021, has already raised £4.3 million for disadvantaged young people across Scotland.

Wings of Kintyre joins a star-studded line-up of rare whiskies and experiences designed to attract collectors, connoisseurs and philanthropists alike.

Wings of Kintyre joins a line-up of rare whiskies and experiences designed to attract collectors, connoisseurs and philanthropists alike…

Inside the Wings of Kintyre Springbank 31-year-old

Ferg & Harris has a reputation for creativity. With Wings of Kintyre, the team has selected an exceptional 31-year-old Springbank, distilled in 1992 and finished in a diminutive 1.2-litre oak cask that previously held organic Grande Champagne Cognac. The cognac, made from rare Folle Blanche grapes, contributes orchard fruit sweetness and warm spice to the whisky’s coastal Campbeltown character.

Bottled at 47.6% ABV, the liquid is presented in a striking package. The bottle itself carries delicate barley detailing in 14-carat gold, a neck adorned with Victorian sea glass and low-carbon Scottish leather, and an asymmetrical glass stopper. It sits within a bespoke case featuring a stained-glass frontage by Inverclyde artist Alec Galloway, framed in sustainable oak by craftsman Eoghan Menzies, and illuminated from within.

Ferg & Harris Wings of Kintyre tasting notes

A rich amber in hue, official tasting notes report aromas of freshly baked malted biscuits, creamy vanilla and light baking spices, eventually releasing layers of baked orchard fruits. On the palette, sweetened oat biscuits mingle with ginger warmth, vanilla custard, and golden raisins. There’s also a lift from citrus zest and baked apple.

The finish is said to be long, and clean, echoing flavours of toasted oats, dry ginger spice, and citrus peel.

The presentation extends beyond the bottle. The winning bidder will also receive the finishing cask itself, personalised with their details, along with hand-waxed glass ampoules for sampling. A private tasting with Alex Harrison, co-founder of Young Spirits, at the company’s Edinburgh headquarters completes the package.

As a never-to-be-repeated release, Wings of Kintyre offers bidders a chance to own a singular expression of Springbank, wrapped in both craftsmanship and charitable purpose. The lot is valued between £2,400 and £3,500. Register your interest here.

Main points at a glance: Ferg & Harris Wings of Kintyre single malt

  • Exclusive release: Ferg & Harris has unveiled Wings of Kintyre, a one-off single malt for the Distillers One of One charity auction 2025.
  • Rare whisky: A 31-year-old Springbank distilled in 1992, finished in a 1.2-litre oak cask seasoned with organic Grande Champagne Cognac from rare Folle Blanche grapes.
  • Auction event: The biennial Distillers One of One takes place October 10 2025 at Hopetoun House, Edinburgh, with Sotheby’s. Proceeds benefit the Youth Action Fund.
  • Presentation: Bottle features 14-carat gold detailing, Victorian sea glass, Scottish leather, and an asymmetrical glass stopper.
  • Tasting profile: Aromas of malted biscuits, vanilla, spiced apple tart; palate of oat biscuits, ginger, citrus zest; long, clean finish with toasted oats and spice.
  • Added extras: Winning bidder also receives the finishing cask, hand-waxed glass ampoules, and a private tasting with Alex Harrison at Young Spirits, Edinburgh.
  • Valuation: Estimated £2,400–£3,500.
  • Charity impact: Since 2021, Distillers One of One has raised £4.3m to support disadvantaged youth in Scotland.

Drink in 2026 with these Jamaican sherried rum, peated whisky, and high-strength bourbon exclusives

The Whisky Exchange has dropped three new exclusive bottlings to mark the start of 2026, spanning Scotch whisky, American bourbon and Jamaican rum. The limited collection comprises an experimental single-cask Torabhaig from the Isle of Skye, a punchy single-barrel bourbon from Bardstown Bourbon Company, and a sherry-cask-aged Hampden Estate rum that leans fully into the…

New Cask Strength Highland Park whisky puts Orkney heather front and centre

Just in time for Burns Night, Orkney-based Highland Park has announced a limited-edition cask strength single malt whisky. The new release, Cask Strength: Heather, is made using 100 per cent Orkney peat-smoked barley, with peat sourced responsibly from Hobbister Moor, just a few miles from the distillery. Given Orkney’s northern latitude, trees struggle to grow,…

Toasting the Bard: Where to eat, drink and celebrate Burns Night 2026

January may feel long and grey, but one undoubted bright spot is Burns Night, the annual celebration held on January 25, marking the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns. For whisky lovers, it’s one of the most convivial fixtures of the year: a night where poetry, food and Scotland’s greatest export meet in cheerful,…

Unknown's avatar

About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK