To make these exclusive purchase extra-special, enthusiasts will also be able to buy a limited edition set, the “Private Collection: Glenlivet Decades.”  This set contains a bottle from every decade from the 1950s to 1990s – giving collectors the rare opportunity to own the ‘liquid lifetime’ of the malt.

Founded in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail is known the world over as the custodian of some of the oldest and rarest single malts available. Members of the third and fourth generations of the Urquhart family now own and manage the business.

David and Michael Urquhart, Joint Managing Directors of Gordon & MacPhail, said: “Following on from the phenomenal success last year of Mortlach 70 Years Old, we decided to release this ‘sister’ Generations cask as there is clearly an enormous demand for greatly aged Scotch Malt Whiskies.

“This cask of The Glenlivet was laid down on 3rd February 1940, on the instruction of our grand-father, John Urquhart. Since then, successive generations of the Urquhart family have been waiting for today – the day it would be ready to share with fellow whisky lovers.

“Throughout the 115 years since we were founded, we have made it our business to nurture and mature some of the finest whiskies Scotland has to offer. The ‘Glenlivet Decades’collection revisits this special malt throughout the years, allowing whisky enthusiasts to get a real sense of how the cask and the maturation process change the character of a whisky.

“Altogether, these six whiskies represent the ‘liquid lifetime’ of The Glenlivet, and six decades of experience, dedication and passion on the part of our family. We’re confident that this investment has resulted in a suite of whiskies of unparalleled quality: a real collector’s piece.”

The whiskies will be revealed to an audience of invited guests at a 1940s-themed ceremony at the historic location of Edinburgh Castle.

GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1954 50.6%

The nose is very much of sour plums and crushed walnut shells along with some aged wood notes. There are also hints of clove and cinnamon and some rich Christmas cake however this is some what in the back ground. After some time in the glass some good sweetness emerges to compliment the afore mentioned descriptors. A little hand warming brings out more of the clove, sweetness and Christmas cake. The taste is dry Christmas cake, orange and oak spice along with the cinnamon and the sweetness along with the sour plum notes. Very aged and in some ways quite delicate but in others quite robust. A little late arrival of ginger and some black pepper. Syrupy along with some leather and tobacco. The influence of the oak is evident but not over whelming.  The finish is long and the notes from the oak are very much in evidence along with some unsweetened cocoa, bitter chocolate. Dry but note overly so and the ginger and black pepper make a late arrival to the finish.

Quite the experience indeed.

£1,250

Score 88 points

GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION 1963 40.6%

The nose is light and fragrant with hints of pear and banana (ever so slight), caramel, maple syrup (again very slight) and some raisins. Everything is quite delicate but all are in harmony. On the wood side of the house there is some comment from the cask but it is not a shouting match gone awry. Very, very nice. More time in the glass only improves the aromas.  The taste is actually like many current official bottlings of the Glenlivet and reminds of some Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottlings. This is sensational. It is both fruity and malty, very elegant and refined. Indeed. A little late arrival of some of the oak influence. The finish is a reflection of the taste, long and clean with some good fruit and after a minute the oak begins to make a showing however it is not out of hand. A very good finish.

Quite a dram, very enjoyable and well worth the wait. The poor man’s G&M Glenlivet 70 year old. 🙂

£750

Score 90 points

GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1974 50.1%

The nose is reminiscent of antiques and Christmas cake; lots of fruit notes however not simply fruit lying about in a bowl but dried fruit that have been rejuvenated with some kind of rich spirit. All this backed by some oak spice and hints of chocolate, a little hand warming brings out further sweetness (and some ‘oiliness’).  What an excellent collection of aromas. With the addition of a little water a little more of the oak notes appear. The taste is strong and peppery at first blush however soon after the Christmas cake notes brush them aside and take over. Oh my, this is really very good and not dominated by the oak.  All work well together. With a little water it mellows quite well although it is quite excellent neat. The finish is of bitter chocolate and the afore mentioned sherry notes. It is quite long and consistent, after a minute or two the oak spice and some dryness are very much in evidence.

Quite elegant.

£500

Score 88 points

GORDON & MACPHAIL. PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1980 48.5%

The nose is of sour cherries and over ripe pears (& apricots), very rich with some Demerara brown sugar and Fry’s unsweetened cocoa powder. Hints of tobacco and leather in the back ground along with some sweet malt. With water it opens up well, a little water improves the aromas. The taste is marvelous, malt, a little pepper and then the honey once again along with the sour cherries. A touch of dark cake (over cooked) along with heather. With water there is some change resulting in an improved dram, water does the trick. Still quite spicy but a bigger experience. The finish presents oak spice and tobacco, a little more of the over cooked cake. It is long and even, the start is the end with the oak spice present from the whole journey. The finish after the addition of the water is livelier.

The addition of a little water is welcome to the experience.

£250

Score 85 points

GORDON & MACPHAIL PRIVATE COLLECTION GLENLIVET 1991 54.4%

The nose is fragrant and extremely pleasing right at the start and yet this occurs above the glass rim. Further depth reveals a combination of honeyed warm melon and some oak spice in the form of cedar and vague hints of marmalade. This is very elegant. Hand warming increases the aromas. Delightful. Some time in the glass allows for a few notes of unlit tobacco to emerge. The taste is warming and vibrant at full strength with some malt and then the brilliant honeyed notes followed by the oak spice. Some pepper and a hint of clove perhaps? As with the aromas I the taste is very good. A dollop of water does it no harm, it holds together well and brings forth more of the fruit and syrup. The finish is much the same as the nose and the taste and is very consistent. Some slight increase in the oak spice and pepper but the malt and the honey are still present.

 £95

Score 86 points

GLENLIVET DECADES 5 BOTTLE PACK

50 Private Collection: Glenlivet Decades packs are available, priced at £2,850 per pack.

They contain one bottle of each of the following whiskies: Glenlivet 1954 50.6%; Glenlivet 1963 40.6%; Glenlivet 1974 50.1%; Glenlivet 1980 48.5%; and Glenlivet 1991 54.4%.

Limited quantities of these vintages are sold as single bottles.

Many thanks to Micheal Urquhart of Gordon & MacPhail for all the samples.

Please visit Gordon & MacPhail at www.gordonandmacphail.com