Gordon & MacPhail will launch the world’s oldest single malt scotch whisky this October: a unprecedented 85-year-old expression from The Glenlivet Distillery that has been maturing since 1940. The historic launch is available in partnership with famend American architect Jeanne Gang, who designed a particular decanter for the 125 bottles produced from Cask 336.
Mr. George’s Foresight
The exceptional journey started on February 3, 1940, when George Urquhart and his father John stuffed an American oak cask with spirit from Glenlivet Distillery. George, identified affectionately as “Mr George,” understood he would by no means style the whisky himself. His imaginative and prescient centered on creating one thing for future generations to take pleasure in.
The cask remained untouched in Gordon & MacPhail’s warehouses for 85 years. On February 5, 2025, the household determined the whisky had reached its peak. The ensuing liquid emerged at 43.7% ABV, yielding simply 125 decanters of this historic expression.
“This whisky is really distinctive resulting from its exceptional historical past and distinctive maturation course of. The affect of the cask, mixed with the rarity and shortage of the liquid, creates a whisky with a energy of 43.7% ABV that isn’t solely extraordinary in its style but additionally a dwelling piece of historical past,” explains Stephen Rankin, Director of Status at Gordon & MacPhail and member of the fourth era of the family-owned firm.
Gordon & Macphail Companions With Famend Architect Jeanne Gang
Gordon & MacPhail chosen Jeanne Gang, the internationally acclaimed architect, to create a novel decanter design themed round “Artistry in Oak.” Gang’s portfolio contains progressive buildings that push past standard architectural boundaries..
“I used to be excited to find out about every part concerned in whisky’s creation. Every cautious step lends one thing to a whisky’s distinctive taste. Then, there are years of defending the casks to allow them to age. In structure, these parts of materiality and time additionally play a important position within the design course of. Each are about creating one thing enduring, so that is what I discovered inspiring about this chance to design a decanter for Gordon & MacPhail’s 85-year-old single malt whisky,” Gang said.
The entire decanter design will likely be unveiled in October 2025, forward of the November public sale at Christie’s New York.
Legacy By way of Whisky and Conservation
The primary decanter will likely be auctioned to help American Forests, the USA’ oldest nationwide non-profit conservation group. This partnership displays Gordon & MacPhail’s dedication to oak sustainability, recognizing the essential position American oak performs in whisky maturation.
Gordon & MacPhail has spent 130 years matching their very own casks with spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries. The corporate maintains a strict philosophy of releasing whisky solely when their century of expertise deems it prepared. This affected person strategy has resulted in Gordon & MacPhail usually releasing the oldest expressions from varied distilleries, together with Mortlach and a earlier launch from The Glenlivet.
These excited about studying extra about this historic launch can register their curiosity at gordonandmacphail.com.
This launch surpasses the earlier report holder for the world’s oldest whisky, The Macallan TIME: SPACE 84 12 months Previous, which was unveiled in 2024.
