Ardbeg Islay single malt Scotch whisky is establishing a £1m fund following the sale of Cask No. 3 for £16m by a private collector earlier in the summer.

Partnering with South Islay Development, a local development organisation, Ardbeg will invite sustainability projects and organisations such as sports and cultural groups to apply for support from the fund, from early next year.

The Ardbeg All Islay Fund will ask participants to meet some of the following criteria:

– Supporting active lives: ensuring access to a range of physical and healthy activities;
– Building community resilience: helping residents access learning and training, supporting carers to access external services or supporting local cultural activities and facilities;
– Enhancing the environment: establishing or supporting environmental schemes such as CO2 reduction, recycling or land use, including biodiversity improvements and peatland restoration.

“Many people at Ardbeg have played a part in the story of the whisky that makes up Cask No. 3,” CEO and President Thomas Moradpour said.

“It is only right that the community in which our Distillery is rooted should share the rewards of its extraordinary sale.”