Leith has worked with Ewan McGregor, the Lochranza Distillery and the charity Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) to create a bottle label design for a 150-bottle limited edition run of Ewan’s Cut whisky, with each bottle sporting a different quote from one of the actor’s screen appearances, from Trainspotting to Star Wars, and some destined to become fiercely sought after pieces.
The rare 26-year-old Arran Single Malt, matured in an ex-Sherry Hogshead cask, is one of the oldest whiskies ever produced by the Lochranza Distillery. Bottled at 46% ABV, each bottle features a unique, specially designed label, making each bottle hugely desirable in its own right. Twenty of the bottles have been personally signed by Ewan McGregor.
The limited-edition bottles will be auctioned by Whisky Auctioneer, the world’s leading online whisky auction platform, from September 27 to October 7. The auction is open to bidders globally and Whisky Auctioneer has generously waived the seller’s commission and will also donate its 12.5% buyer’s commission, ensuring that the maximum possible funds reach CHAS.
The Leith Agency worked in partnership with Ewan and his brother Colin McGregor to bring “Ewan’s Cut” to life on a pro-bono basis. The bottle design and name were inspired by Ewan’s illustrious career, with each label featuring a reference to one of his iconic roles in films, as well as his memorable Long Way Round adventure. Each of the 150 bottle labels reads like a mini film script, with no two labels alike.
Ewan McGregor said: “I have been involved with CHAS and visited their hospices many times over the years, so I know the unwavering care that both Rachel House and Robin House provide children and their families during their hardest moments.”
It’s not just CHAS’s hospices that McGregor has visited before – the actor first visited Lochranza Distillery in 1998, where he first toasted the inaugural cask of Arran Single Malt to celebrate its launch.
“My hope is that this auction can raise a significant amount to ensure that these wonderful places are able to continue providing the service they do.”
Richard Marsham at Leith, added: “We’re thrilled to have worked on this project with Ewan and feel our creative take on bringing the film world and the heritage of Arran whisky together has led to something very special and highly collectable. By taking design and copy cues from the classic movie screenplay format, Ewan’s Cut rewrites the script for whisky packaging in more ways than one…”
The ‘Ewan’s Cut’ labels were created and written by Rob Petrie (head of design at Leith) and Colin Montgomery (senior copywriter) with support from Beth Lauder (senior account manager).
