One-off whisky raises money for Japan

Seven independent whisky distillers have raised £90,000 for the relief effort in Japan to date with a unique blend of Scotch.

The producers each donated a cask of single malt, which was then blended into 2,000 special edition bottles dubbed the “Spirit of Unity”.

Sales of the Scotch have so far raised £90,000 and further sales will go ahead next year to raise more funds when four boxed sets of the whisky, each containing a bottle signed by the distillers involved, will go on sale.

The distilleries involved in the scheme are: Arran, BenRiach, Bladnoch, GlenDronach, Mitchell’s Glengyle, Kilchoman and Springbank.

All are independent, have won many awards between them and represent the whisky areas of Islay, Islands, Speyside, Highland, Campbeltown and Lowland.

It is the first time they have worked together.

Euan Mitchell, managing director of Isle of Arran Distillers, said: “Many in our industry, like me, travel regularly to Japan and have made friends and contacts with Japanese whisky enthusiasts.

“It has been our pleasure to create this dram and raise money for people in Japan following the recent natural disaster.

“We are very pleased with the current progress that’s taking place through Refugees International Japan and hope the auction of the last four signed boxed sets at the beginning of next year will raise even more money for this very worthy cause.”

The idea behind the scheme came when four of the distillers visited the Tohuku region, one of the worst affected parts of the country following the destructive earthquake and tsunami that struck earlier this year.