A seamless, irresistible yet balanced blend of flavors with a golden saga in relation to the influential cask – Whiskey.
Although there are many distilled and aged beverages, whiskey stands out due to the significance of its bitterness and infused flavors. Imagine the aura of the whiskey that has stayed still in glorious oak barrels for 80 years. So, do you wish to know what would a 80-year-old whiskey feel like? Keep on reading to immerse yourself into the result produced by the harmony of 8 decades.
Tale of the ‘Cask 340’
‘The father of single malt’ George Urquhart along with his father John, bonded the spirit from Glenlivet Distillery and a significant cask from Gordon & MacPhail on 3rd February 1940. With the deeply embedded believe that it was important to age the combination of cask & whiskey until it reaches the desired quality to be savored by the future generations. This believe is an emotion passed on as a legacy in a small Speyside town of Elgin.
“We will only release a whisky when we feel it’s truly at its pinnacle.”
By Stuart Urquhart, Operations Director. (Great grandson of John Urquhart)
The cask in picture was named – ‘Cask 340’ set to be aged for 8 decades. On 5th February 2020, this rare liquid witnessed the decision “to finally bottle the cask’s precious out-turn, yielding a total of 250 decanters.” – Gordon & MacPhail Whiskey Team.
“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,”
By Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies.
Creator of the Unique Decanter
To honor the vision of the ancestor’s George & John Urquhart, Gordon & MacPhail have collaborated with internationally acclaimed architect & designer, RIBA Royal Gold Medalist 2021 – Sir David Adjaye OBE. The aim is to create a unique decanter as well as oak case to store and showcase world’s rarest whiskey.
Sir David Adjaye OBE is known for numerous accomplishments such as Isamu Noguchi Award from The Noguchi Museum, designing the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC etc.
The 8 decades, reflection of the whisky is symbolized by oak. The unique decanter and case prepared by Sir David Adjaye will be revealed in September 2021. Decanter #1 will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in October 2021. The auction proceeds will be will be donated to award-winning Scottish charity Trees for Life whose mission is to rewild the Caledonian Forest.
There is no estimated price range stated and therefore those interested in getting on the list to potentially purchase a bottle can let Gordon & MacPhail know at their website.
What to expect from Generations 2021 based on previous releases
‘Generations’ range showcases the longest matured Scotch whiskies bottled by Gordon & MacPhail. Guided by the Malt maturation experts – four generations of the Urquhart family. Spirit selection, quality cask curation tied with decades of knowledge and expertise captures the finest of Scotland’s liquid history. There have been ‘three’ releases in the Generations range until now, comprised of two single casks from the Mortlach Distillery and one single cask from Glenlivet, all bottled as single casks.
- Generations 1 – This came in the form of ’70-year-old Mortlach’, filled in a cask from Gordon & MacPhail on 15th February 1938 under the supervision of John Urquhart. 70 years later this beauty reached its pinnacle and was released at the historic surroundings of Edinburgh Castle on the 70th day of 2010. 7 decades in Spanish Oak, ex-Bodega Sherry Hogshead and yet surprisingly no oak flavor, on the contrary it portrays vibrant and fruity notes of orange peel, maraschino cherries with a lengthy finish. An extraordinary collectible from a bygone age with only 54 decanters!
- Generations 2 – The second release came from Glenlivet Distillery in the form of ‘Cask 339’. One of the first fifteen Sherry casks ordered to be filled by John Urquhart on 4rd February 1940. The cask matured in distillery and 40 years later was moved to the warehouses in Elgin. 30 years later reaching the age of 70 it was bottled and released in 2011 at Edinburgh Castle. Deep amber with fruity notes and thread of smoke/ash. 45.9 % ABV with 100 bottles. A follow up bottling was released in 2012 and launched in Vancouver.
- Generations 3 – An outstanding single cask from Speyside’s Mortlach Distillery, aged for 75 years and launched at the Royal Opera House in London. Mortlach 75 Years Old (44.4% ABV) displays notes of dried apricots and pomegranate, followed by hints of spice and creamy vanilla. With a smooth and lingering smoky finish stated as a truly unforgettable whiskey.
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