Single Malt Scotch Whisky 15
Gordon & MacPhail – The ‘Private Collection’
Gordon & MacPhail Launches Oldest Release From Famous Distillery as Part of Its ‘Private Collection’
Gordon & MacPhail, the single malt Scotch whisky creator, has unveiled a new addition to its ‘Private Collection’: Gordon & MacPhail 1948 from Glen Grant Distillery. At 70-years-old, it is the oldest expression from the Speyside distillery ever bottled.
The latest release closely follows the acclaimed 50-year-old Gordon & MacPhail 1968 from Caol Ila Distillery, the oldest single malt ever bottled from the Islay distillery.
The rare and exclusive Gordon & MacPhail 1948 from Glen Grant Distillery was matured in Cask 2154, a first fill Sherry butt filled on 11 June 1948 – six years before barley rationing restrictions were lifted following the Second World War. Only 210 decanters of this highly sought-after whisky are available to purchase.
The ‘Private Collection’ comprises a selection of rare single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries personally selected by members of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail.
Members of four generations of the Urquhart family nurtured Cask 2154. John Urquhart selected the cask with his son, George, back in 1948. George oversaw storage of the cask in the fabled Warehouse No. 5 at Glen Grant Distillery. His eldest son, Ian, monitored the whisky and, in May 1968, arranged for the Sherry butt to be moved to Gordon & MacPhail’s Elgin warehouse. Ian’s nephew, Stuart, the company’s Operations Director, selected Cask 2154 for bottling on 19 October 2018.
Stephen Rankin, Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige and member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, reflected: “Our family has matured single malt whiskies for 123 years, each generation passing on its knowledge of how to combine spirit and oak to create exquisite whiskies. Four generations of my family have carefully nurtured Cask 2154 over its 70 years to produce this unique whisky.
“My great-grandfather, John, selected the first fill Sherry butt in 1948 to fill with new-make spirit from Glen Grant. My family has patiently watched over this cask, regularly monitoring and sampling the whisky, recognising the right moment to bottle it at its ultimate peak. This masterpiece epitomises the skill and craft involved in matching a cask to new-make spirit, as well as our dedication to creating unique and intriguing whiskies.
“Thanks to the notable influence of the Sherry butt on the spirit over the years, the elegant whisky displays flavours of dried fruit, orange zest, and cracked black pepper whilst maintaining a long, smooth charred oak finish. The remarkable 70-year-old malt also has delicate smoky notes, a reminder that, in 1948, the distillery would have been using traditional practices on their floor maltings and local peat as a fuel.”
Bottled at cask strength (ABV 48.6%), the amber coloured single malt is presented in an exquisitely engraved, hand-blown crystal decanter. The stunning whisky is framed in a striking wooden presentation case, with doors which smoothly slide open to reveal the precious contents.
In April 2018, Gordon & MacPhail streamlined its portfolio of single malt Scotch whiskies. Over recent months, the company has unveiled several remarkable ‘Private Collection’ releases: Gordon & MacPhail 1968 from Caol Ila Distillery and Gordon & MacPhail 1954 from Glenlivet Distillery.
Gordon & MacPhail 1948 from Glen Grant Distillery will be available for purchase worldwide from selected specialist retailers* (UK RRP £17,500**).
For more information, please visit www.gordonandmacphail.com.
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*Gordon & MacPhail 1948 from Glen Grant Distillery will be available to purchase in the US in spring 2019.
**Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.
HIGHLAND PARK 50 YEAR OLD 2018
Only 274 Bottles Released From Highland Park
The Product of Just 2 Casks
Visit Highland Park for more details or see more from Malt Marketing.
The Macallan Masters of Photography: Steven Klein
Masters of Photography Captured: Time – Steven Klein
Every now and again we like to share with you news about The Macallan Masters of Photography series and tell you a little about what exciting new expressions are coming out. We also from time to time like to even share a few pictures which as they say tell a thousand words. On very special occasions we like to go even further and share a video or two which tell probably over a million words… On this occasion we have decided to do just that and introduce you to the latest in the Macallan Masters of Photography Steven Klein series courtesy of this rather special and intriguing video from Macallan.
Visit: The Macallan
Whisky-Online Auctions
Offering a Range of Collectible Whiskies
Including Fine and Rare Malt Whisky
Whisky-Online July Auction – Choose from an extensive range of malts, blends and other rare and collectible whiskies available on the secondary whisky market. As well as boasting an impressive online whisky shop, Whisky-Online hold regular online auctions offering bidders the chance to buy many of those harder to find whiskies.
Whether adding to an existing collection, buying a special gift or merely choosing a finer whisky to compliment an upcoming special occasion, buying whisky at auction has become almost as common as buying from a high street or online retailer. In many ways, it is at auctions like these that many surprising expressions come up and while there are many good buys to be had, lets not forget that from a sellers point of view, whisky auctions also present opportunities for many record hammer prices to be achieved.
The Making of Highland Park
A Single Malt Scotch Whisky With Distinction
It would be fair to say that as far as single malt Scotch whisky goes, Highland Park is well just that little bit special. With its roots on the island of Orkney and with a heritage as much Viking as it is Scottish, the Highland Park distillery continues to produce some of the most remarkable whisky seen out of any Scottish distillery. Indeed Highland Park’s 25 year expression has triumphed on many occasion and no less so than when it was awarded the first ever 100-point score, along with the Chairman’s Trophy for Best of Category, by judges at Ultimate Beverage Challenge’s fourth annual Ultimate Spirits Challenge in New York in 2013. The film below looks at the underlying core principles that make Highland Park whisky the success story that it is today.
