From Skye to the skies – the Torabhaig whisky that flew the Atlantic sells for £1700 at auction
A bottle of whisky from Skye's Torabhaig distillery that crossed the Atlantic in the basket of a hydrogen balloon has been auctioned, with all proceeds going back to the island of Skye.
The bottle of Torabhaig Founders Reserve, number 001 of 100, flew with the Atlantic Explorer from Presque Isle, Maine, to Bastendorf, Luxembourg, landing on 7 June 2026 after more than 3,280 miles (5,282 km) and 70 hours in the air.
The bottle was part of a record-breaking expedition: the first successful manned transatlantic balloon flight using hydrogen as its sole source of lift. On landing, the three pilots signed the bottle, which was auctioned by Whisky Auctioneer in its October auction. Whisky Auctioneer ran the sale and waived its seller's commission.
The three pilots - Alicia Hempleman-Adams, Bert Padelt and Peter Cuneo - travelled in an open basket, at an average altitude of 14,000 feet and speeds of up to 100 km/h, with hydrogen as their only lift.
There was no cabin and no second chance. In completing the crossing, Alicia Hempleman-Adams became only the second woman in history, and the first from Britain, to cross the Atlantic by gas balloon. The expedition also carried Explorers Club Flag 207 - such was the ambition and achievement of the attempt.
The Torabhaig sold at auction last night (2 November) for £1,700 making it the most valuable bottle of Torabhaig ever sold. The full hammer price goes to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the Gaelic college a few miles from the distillery on Skye.
Emma Sprackling, senior brand manager at Torabhaig, said: "We talk about our whisky being shaped by Skye. This bottle has been carried by the sky as well, across an ocean, in an open basket. There's only one of it and, following its extraordinary journey, it's only right that it goes back to support the island it came from
“That bottle went a very long way to support us at home. We're grateful to everyone who bid, and to Whisky Auctioneer for helping turn an extraordinary journey into ongoing support for Gaelic language and culture on Skye."
Alicia Hempleman-Adams said: "Torabhaig has supported several attempts to cross the Atlantic by hydrogen balloon and we're over the moon that the expedition was successful this year. It's surreal to think about how far we and the whisky travelled during the expedition and I'm excited to see it going to auction to raise money for charity.”
The bottle was sold with a certificate of authenticity recording its journey and provenance, signed by the three pilots.
The remaining 99 bottles of Founders Reserve didn't make the flight, and there won't be any more. After a pre-sale to Torabhaig club members, they go on sale at torabhaig.com from Monday 9 November at £200 each. Every bottle comes with a postcard of the flown bottle signed by the three pilots, and all proceeds go to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
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