Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

World’s oldest single malt Scotch whisky to be released by Gordon and MacPhail this year

Stephen Rankin, director, with Cask 340.
Stephen Rankin, director, with Cask 340.

Whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail will release the world’s oldest single malt Scotch whisky this September – an 80-year-old from Glenlivet Distillery – in partnership with Sir David Adjaye OBE.

On February 3 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 and MBE 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.

Out-turn finally bottled

On February 5 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.

“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,” explained Stephen Rankin, director of prestige at Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies, and member of the fourth generation of the family that owns the Elgin company.

World's oldest single malt released by Gordon & MacPhail; pictured is Stephen Rankin.
Stephen Rankin.

For more than 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 more than 100 Scottish distilleries.

And 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.

World's oldest single malt released by Gordon & MacPhail, shop in Elgin 1895
The Gordon and MacPhail shop in Elgin in 1895.

To celebrate John and George Urquhart’s vision, the company 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.

“When collaborating, I am looking for like-minded partners in terms of their craft, beliefs and traditions.

“I loved Gordon & MacPhail’s rigour and obsession with their products and their craft – a romantic commitment that enables one to do exceptional things. Our partnership felt so organic,” said Adjaye.

“Maturing a single malt Scotch over eight decades is an art,” added Ewen Mackintosh, managing director at Gordon & MacPhail, “similar in many ways to architecture where you are creating something that needs to stand the test of time. Neither can be rushed.

World's oldest single malt released by Gordon & MacPhail; pictured is Sir David Adjaye OBE
Sir David Adjaye OBE.

“Both Sir David and Gordon & MacPhail share a commitment to invest in the future. We 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 will be revealed in September, with decanter number one auctioned by Sotheby’s in early October.

World's oldest single malt released by Gordon & MacPhail; pictured is Ewen Mackintosh.
Ewen Mackintosh.

To continue the legacy theme, auction proceeds, minus costs, will be donated to award-winning Scottish charity Trees for Life whose mission is to re-wild the Caledonian Forest.

“It’s fitting that this release will provide a relevant, valuable and long-lasting legacy with direct benefits for many,” added Ewen.

Cask 340, which cradled the world's oldest single malt for 80 years.
Cask 340, which cradled the world’s oldest single malt for 80 years.

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 80 Year Old from Glenlivet Distillery will finally be unveiled.


More on whisky…

First look: See inside The Glenlivet’s newly refurbished visitor centre in Speyside

Huntly distillery partners with whisky and art firm to create unique collaboration