Gordon & MacPhail’S Generations 80 Y O From Glenlivet Distillery
Whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail released the world's oldest single malt Scotch whisky this September - an 80-Years-Old from Glenlivet Distillery - in partnership with Sir David Adjaye OBE.
Ages ago, on 3rd February 1940 in a quiet corner in the north of Scotland, George Urquhart and his father, John, had the
extraordinary foresight and vision to lay down spirit from Glenlivet Distillery
in a bespoke Gordon & MacPhail cask to be enjoyed by future generations.
Referred to by renowned whisky writer Charlie MacLean as 'the father of single malt', George Urquhart passionately believed that each whisky should be left to mature until the cask
and spirit had combined to create the desired quality, and it was ready to be shared. The time for Cask 340 was to be 80 years – longer than any other Scotch
whisky in history.
On 5th February 2020, leaning on the unique skill and experience acquired over more than 125 years, the decision was taken to finally bottle the cask's precious out-turn, yielding a total of 250 decanters.
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 the Rankin family. Stephen Rankin, Director of
Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies, is a member of the fourth
generation of the family that owns the company.
For over 125 years, Gordon
& MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt
Scotch whisky of exceptional quality. Through four generations of family
ownership, the company has matched its own casks with spirit from over 100
Scottish distilleries. It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that
enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create iconic
whiskies found nowhere else in the world.
To celebrate John and George
Urquhart's vision, Gordon & MacPhail has collaborated with internationally
acclaimed architect and designer, Sir David Adjaye OBE, to create a unique
decanter and oak case to house the world's most precious whisky to date.
Described as 'an architect with an artist's sensibilities and vision', Adjaye
was a natural choice as a creative partner; a man who shares the company's
values of artistry, legacy, and craftsmanship.
Maturing a single malt
Scotch over eight decades is an art, similar in many ways to architecture where
something that needs to stand the test of time is created. Neither can be
rushed. Both Sir David and Gordon & MacPhail share a commitment to invest
in the future. They both see the significance of creating something
exceptional; leaving a legacy for future generations.
In the same way that a 50th
anniversary is commemorated by gold, 80 years is traditionally symbolised by
oak - a pleasing reflection of this whisky, cradled in oak for eight decades.
Sir David Adjaye's stunning decanter and case was revealed in September 2021,
with decanter number #1 auctioned by Sotheby's early October. To continue the
legacy theme, auction proceeds, minus costs, will be donated to award-winning
Scottish charity Trees for Life whose mission is to rewild the Caledonian
Forest.
The Generations range from
Gordon & MacPhail has previously presented some of the longest matured
single malt Scotch whisky ever to be bottled. Its reputation will be further
enhanced this September when the Gordon & MacPhail Generations 80YO from Glenlivet
Distillery will finally be unveiled.
About Gordon &
MacPhail Generations Range
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