Gordon & MacPhail ‘s 80-year-old whisky honours the company’s history and leaves a legacy for future generations
On 3 February, 1940, George and John Urquhart laid down cask 340. The cask, which contained Glenlivet Distillery’s single-malt whisky, was set aside for 80 years to be enjoyed by future generations. Only now is it finally ready to be shared with the world.
Gordon & MacPhail, originally established in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail, fell under the control of John Urquhart and his family in 1915. The family-owned business is now 126 years old and has been handed down through four generations of the Urquhart Family.
The release of the 80-year-old whisky represents the family’s long-standing dedication to crafting quality spirits, honouring the vision of George and John Urquhart. “That this whisky—the oldest single malt Scotch ever bottled—remains so full of vibrant flavour with a strength of 44.9% ABV, is testimony to knowledge handed down over successive generations of my family,” says Stephen Rankin, a member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family.
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The whisky has been bottled in a stunning decanter and will be presented in a unique oak case. Both are creations by award-winning architect Sir David Adjaye OBE, who was chosen by Gordon & MacPhail for sharing “the company’s values of artistry, legacy and craftsmanship”.
The decanter features a timeless design made using glass and crystal—a worthy vessel for the precious whisky. Meticulously crafted by hand, each decanter is unique and was produced by Glencairn Crystal Studio, a family business based in Scotland that has mastered the art of crafting ultra-premium decanters over a history of four decades. The decanter is enclosed in an exquisite oak case, which references the oak cask which cradled the whisky as it matured.
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