The Bar Journal

Seven Scottish distilleries have collaborated to produce a whiskey for which all proceeds will be donated to the disaster relief effort in Japan. Arran, BenRiach, Bladnoch, GlenDronach, GlenGyle (Kilkerran), Kilchoman and Springbank are each donating a cask of single malt to be blended into a limited edition whisky.

According to the Scotch Malt Whiskey website, the idea has been inspired by the popularity of whiskey among Japanese consumers. The combined contribution will produce approximately 2,000 bottles with 1,200 available in the UK. The remainder will be shipped to Japan with some being donated for sale in New Zealand to assist with relief in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake. It is expected that the release will be over-subscribed as soon as it is made available.

Packaging has been donated free of charge by Chesapeake Branded Packaging and it has been estimated that with the support of suppliers and partners, including retailers, Spirit of Unity will be able to raise at least £50,000 for the relief effort. The whiskey will be available through Royal Mile Whiskies and Loch Fyne Whiskies and in their respective shops in Edinburgh, London and Inveraray.

The charity evaluator, Give Well, have advised caution in giving, since it claims that those affected have requested very little, limited aid. Give Well states that charities are aggressively soliciting donations, often in ways we feel are misleading , with aid often going to help people in need in other countries. But the message of Give Well is mixed. On the one hand, it claims that the Japanese Red Cross stated this month that no additional aid was required. On the other hand, it notes that the Japanese Red Cross website includes advice for those interested in making donations, while those commenting on the website have noted the possible link between a rejection of aid and the Japanese government’s alleged desire to play down the extent of the disaster.

Charitable donations are often delicate matter: they can trigger suspicion in consumers’ mind or create huge good will. In any case, they need to be thought through extremely carefully.

KAMPAI !