Whisky Auctioneer, the leading global online whisky and spirits auction platform, will host the world’s first auction dedicated to women in whisky between March 29 and April 8. All proceeds from the auction will be donated directly to the OurWhisky Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, recognising, and empowering women in whisky. 

“Historically, our industry has lacked diversity, and that’s something we’re determined to change,” said Joe Wilson, Head Curator and Spirits Specialist at Whisky Auctioneer.

“To that end, we have been delighted to witness the incredible achievements of the OurWhisky Foundation and are thrilled to host this auction and shine a spotlight on the stories of women within our industry.”

The auction will centre around the Demeter collection which has been crafted and inspired by the industry’s most talented women. Each bottle in the collection hopes to showcase not only the distillation and maturation talent that went into making them, but also to highlight stories of the women involved in their creation. The name itself, ‘Demeter,’ comes from the goddess of grain.

“The Demeter Collection is an exciting group of one-of-a-kind and collectible bottlings from very diverse distilleries,” said Wilson.

"Our hope is that this auction will not only catch the attention of enthusiasts and collectors worldwide to raise important funds for the OurWhisky Foundation, but also inspire current and future generations of women in whisky.”

All funds raised from the auction, including Whisky Auctioneer’s buyer’s fees, will be passed on to the OurWhisky Foundation to support its various initiatives such as its mentorship programme, its The Modern Face of Whisky stock image library, and its ongoing work with brands and stakeholders to build a more welcoming, diverse, and inclusive industry. 

“Despite her important role within Greek mythology, Demeter remains one of the lesser-known of the Olympians, her story largely untold in popular culture,” said Becky Paskin, founder of the OurWhisky Foundation.

“Yet her heroic tale of overcoming obstacles to support her daughter, all while sharing her knowledge and wisdom with others, embodies many similar values as the OurWhisky Foundation.

“Just like Demeter’s sidelining in pop culture, women’s contributions to whisky have been vastly under-recognised. Through the Demeter Collection we want to honour the grain goddess and tell the untold stories of women in whisky, while raising much-needed funds to enable the OurWhisky Foundation to support, recognise and empower future generations of women in the industry.”

The auction will be hosted online from March 29, intentionally coinciding with Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. 

The whiskies available in the Demeter Collection Auction include:

  • Aberfeldy 40 Year Old
  • Ardbeg Twenty
  • Arbikie Farm Experience + Hand-filled Rye Whisky
  • Atonia’s Legacy: The Sarah Burgess Edition
  • Cooper King Cask No. 1: Inaugural Release
  • Cotswolds Distillery One of One
  • CRN57
  • House of Hazelwood:  The Long View
  • JJ Corry x Tipperary: The Founders Bottles #1
  • Laphroaig 25 Year Old: The Bessie Williamson Story
  • Loch Lomond Sonata Collection
  • Nc’nean Aon 17-302
  • SMWS Christmas on the Beach
  • Strathearn Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • The Borders Distillery IWD Quarter Cask
  • The Dalmore 44 Years Old
  • The GlenDronach 30 Year Old Single Cask
  • Wire Works Love, Sweat & Tears

Registration and more information can be found here.

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