Gordon & MacPhail unveils new ultra-rare single malts from its Private Collection range

The latest releases include the oldest Caol Ila whisky ever bottled

Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has released two stunning new additions to its ‘Private Collection’ range: a 64-Years-Old single malt from Glenlivet Distillery and a landmark 50-Years-Old from Caol Ila Distillery – the oldest Caol Ila single malt ever released.

The newly redesigned ‘Private Collection’ range encompasses rare and exclusive single malt whiskies from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries, all of which have been specially selected for bottling by a member of the Urquhart family that owns Gordon & MacPhail.

Gordon & MacPhail 1968 from Caol Ila Distillery was matured in a refill Sherry hogshead and bottled at a cask strength of 52.5% ABV. Warming spice leads on the palate, followed by fruity flavours with a gentle Sherry influence, before a lingering finish of bonfire embers entwined with lemon zest. Available at a UK RRP of £7,500*, only 199 decanters of this extremely rare single malt are available worldwide.

The dark gold Gordon & MacPhail 1954 from Glenlivet Distillery carefully balances the sweetness of golden syrup, stewed fruit, and dark chocolate with spicy black peppercorn and mature oak. Matured in Cask 1412, a carefully selected refill Sherry butt, the 64-year-old malt was bottled at a cask strength of 41.0% ABV. Only 222 bottles are available globally, at a UK RRP of £9,950*.

These ultra-rare single malts were selected for bottling by Stuart Urquhart, Gordon & MacPhail’s Associate Director of Whisky Supply and member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family. Beautifully presented in hand-blown crystal decanters, each whisky is encased within a handmade wooden veneer box.

Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige and fourth generation member of the Urquhart family, said: “Our ’Private Collection’ range allows discerning whisky enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy some of the oldest and rarest single malts in the world. These latest releases epitomise the expertise and commitment that has gone into pairing spirit and cask over 123 years and four generations of the Urquhart family. Thanks to the foresight of my forefathers, we have one of the most extensive single malt whisky libraries in the world, with expressions from over 100 Scottish distilleries.”

The latest ‘Private Collection’ releases will be available to purchase from specialist whisky retailers.

For more information on Gordon & MacPhail’s ‘Private Collection’ visit www.gordonandmacphail.com.

*Prices in international markets may vary due to local taxes and import duties.

Notes 

Tasting notes

Gordon & MacPhail 1954 from Glenlivet Distillery (Private Collection)

41.0% ABV, outturn of 222 bottles, UK RRP £9,950

Colour: Dark gold.

Aroma: Initially sweet with hints of brown sugar and toffee apple; light herbal aromas evolve into candy notes. Traces of cinnamon and aniseed add depth whilst sweetness arrives from lemon curd, and vanilla undertones. Aromatic fresh-roasted coffee beans balance orange zest.

Taste: Silky, smooth and intense golden syrup mingles with stewed fruit and rum and raisin. Touches of dark chocolate complement the delicate Sherry flavours. Sweet brown sugar remains whilst hints of walnut add a slightly drying aspect.

Finish: A refined and elegant dram with a black peppercorn and lingering mature oak finish.

Gordon & MacPhail 1968 from Caol Ila Distillery (Private Collection)

52.5% ABV, outturn of 199 bottles, UK RRP £7,500

Colour: Dark gold.

Aroma: Delicate wisps of peat smoke combine with aromas of honey-cured meats and vanilla pods. Fruitcake-laden notes of nuts, raisins, and plump sultanas develop. A hint of menthol runs throughout. Undertones of zesty citrus and aromatic lemongrass linger.

Taste: A refined and subtle, yet warming, spice opens into raspberry, cranberry, and sweet baked apple flavours. Thick cut Seville orange marmalade and gentle Sherry influences develop with time. Mature oak notes add a slightly drying character.

Finish: A lingering finish of smouldering bonfire embers combine delicately with lemon zest and charred oak.

Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

Established in 1895, family-owned Gordon & MacPhail is the creator of some of the world’s finest and rarest single malt Scotch whiskies from over 100 distilleries. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued to pursue the perfect pairing between spirit and cask.

Since its foundation, Gordon & MacPhail has carefully matched spirit to the highest quality oak casks which are sent to distilleries throughout Scotland, filled with new-make spirit, and matured either at the distillery of origin or in the firm’s own bonded warehouses in Elgin.

It is this simple but endlessly complex pairing that creates an intriguing and unique portfolio of expressions – single malts that Scotch whisky lovers will not find anywhere else.

In 2018, the company unveiled its streamlined portfolio:

• Discovery – Utterly dependable, this flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies.
• Distillery Labels – A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries.
• Connoisseurs Choice – The heart of our portfolio – always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• Private Collection – Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family.

Generations – A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces.

COMPLETE SET OF BLACK BOWMORE 1964 LEADS BONHAMS DECEMBER WHISKY SALE IN EDINBURGH

Complete set of Black Bowmore 1964. Estimate: £50,000-70,000 

A complete set of Black Bowmore 1964 leads Bonhams Whisky sale in Edinburgh on Wednesday 12 December. It has an estimate of £50,000-70,000.

The Black Bowmore 1964 first edition was bottled in 1993 in a production run of 2,000 bottles. The second edition followed in 1994 – when, again, production was limited to 2,000 bottles. The third, and final, bottling, in an edition of 1,812, took place in 1995.

Bonhams Whisky specialist in Edinburgh Martin Green said: “Bottles of Black Bowmore 1964 have become highly desirable, and the complete set of three editions is in particular demand. Each of the three bottles in our December sale comes complete with its own presentation case and, of course, its own unique number. I anticipate some keen bidding.”

Other highlights of the sale include:

• The Macallan Select Reserve-52 year old-1946, bottled in 1998. Estimate: £14,000-17,000.
• Two bottles of The Macallan-1938, bottled in 1980. Estimate: £10,000-15,000 per bottle.
• Glenfiddich-47 year old-1964, bottled in July 2011. Bottle number 010 of a limited edition of 24. Estimate £9,000-11,000.
• Port Ellen-37 year old-1981 Casks of Distinction, bottled August 2018. Estimate £6,000-7,000

NOTES 

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

The World’s Leading Bartender School Launches Exclusive 4-Day Whisky Experience at Award-Winning Distillery 

Unique opportunity to stay on-site at the Glenfiddich distillery in the ‘malt whisky capital of the world’, for an in-depth understanding of the world of Scotch whisky.

BARCELONA, Spain 28/11/18 – An experience only previously available to VIP guests invited by Glenfiddich is now open to all Scotch whisky enthusiasts, connoisseurs and novices alike who are longing for an enhanced and in-depth experience of Scotch whisky that normal distillery tours would not provide.

European Bartender School (EBS) and their partners William Grant & Sons have teamed up to create an immersive four-day expedition to the Glenfiddich distillery in the heart of Speyside, Scotland for an intense and enlightening sensory journey through each stage of Scotch whisky production. The first expedition launched on the 1st October, the following trip took place a month later and three new dates have now been announced for February, March and April of 2019 due to the success of the first trips. Limited to just 15 places per trip, this expedition retains a sense of exclusivity as those taking part have the chance to explore all areas of the distillery in the more intimate setting of a smaller group, allowing them to come into close contact with every single stage of the production process, the product, their guides and the experts they will meet along the way.

With 1,2 billion bottles of Scotch whisky sold every year in around 200 markets, there has never been a better time to gain exclusive insight into this ever-expanding industry, and no better place to do so than the Glenfiddich distillery, producer of the world’s best-selling and Most Awarded Single Malt Whisky. With accommodation at the distillery itself, comprehensive tours, tasting sessions and even the opportunity for participants to make their own blend, this expedition provides the opportunity to live and breathe all things Scotch whisky in a way that has never been possible before.

“It’s the first time we are opening our distillery accommodation to the public. The course promises to be hands-on, challenging and thoroughly enjoyable in a beautiful corner of Scotland at the Glenfiddich distillery,” says Ludovic Ducrocq, Head of Brand Ambassador Advocacy, William Grant & Sons.

For further details about the expedition, please find the press kit here.

To get in touch with European Bartender School, please email us at pr@barschool.net

ABOUT EUROPEAN BARTENDER SCHOOL

European Bartender School is the world’s leading bartender school.

Since 1999, we have trained 50,000+ students worldwide in the art of bartending. We now have 25+ schools across the globe and work with the industry’s elite bartenders and brands.
Twitter: @ebsbarschools 

ABOUT WILLIAM GRANT & SONS AND GLENFIDDICH

William Grant & Sons, Ltd. is an independent family-owned distiller headquartered in the United Kingdom and founded by William Grant in 1887. Today, the luxury spirits company is run by the fifth generation of his family and distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, The Balvenie® range of handcrafted single malts and the world’s third largest blended Scotch Grant’s® as well as other iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry®, Tullamore D.E.W Irish Whiskey, Monkey Shoulder and Drambuie.

https://www.glenfiddich.com/

Kentucky Whiskey at its Finest: Single Casks from an Old Guard Distiller
“We are proud to have such an unflinching partner willing to bottle bourbon with no bull.”
—David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer

The holidays are here, and so is our most recent set of K&L exclusive barrels from the Kentucky whiskey legend Four Roses. These cask-strength bottlings are consistently a huge hit and fly off the shelf at breakneck speeds, hence this is one of those “catch-it-while-you-can” types of offers. Our SoCal Spirits buyer, David Othenin-Girard, along with Four Roses’ Al Young and Mandy Vance, hand selected this set after blind tasting through several casks at the distillery. While previous casks were zeroed in on considerations of the recipe, age, warehouse, and alcohol strength—these four were selected solely on taste. And we must say, this is absolutely the way to go, as this is arguably the finest set of Four Roses casks that we’ve brought to market to date.

For more on the these single barrel exclusives, check out our recent Spirits Journal post.

Each possesses its own unique profile with flavors ranging from mint, citrus, toasty oak, caramel, roasted nuts, and so much more. All are unequivocally delicious. The process behind each is equally as compelling as the stuff in the bottle. These are perfect holiday gifts for the Bourbon drinker in your life and will also make a terrific addition to your own collection. We’ve already sold through a significant portion, so seriously, don’t wait on these, as once they are gone, they’ll be gone for good.

Four Roses K&L Exclusive OBSQ (9 Years Old, 4 Months) Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($69.99)

Another stupendous cask from our friends in Lawrenceburg. The very special whiskies coming out of Four Roses today are some of Kentucky’s very best. They do a lot of things the old way. While their competition has chosen to move forward with modern accoutrement, Four Roses continues to insist on old practices that set the product apart from the pack. First, there is the proper souring step, yeast cultivated each week thereby offering depth of character unsurpassed by other modern distillers. Cypress fermenters, slow low distillation, and a lower than standard fill proof are just some of the quality components that make Four Roses the best bourbon money can buy. Now take the fact that all their great bourbons go into just three standard products and you have a recipe for some incredibly high-quality store picks. They’re they only big Kentucky producer that let us bottle proper cask-strength bourbon for our store picks. We picked these out in Cox’s Creek with the great Al Young and the wonderful Mandy Vance. The perfect comparison with our OESQ cask. The same floral yeast strain, but with the more full-bodied and spicy, high rye mash bill.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 29, 2018

Tasting the OESQ & OBSQ together with Al Young this spring was a totally eye-opening experience. You have to taste blind when Al is there, and so you’re more attuned to the links between the various whiskies in front of you. I don’t think I’d have picked these out as having the same yeast strain blind, but we DID identify both as being absolutely delicious. The OBSQ feels much more classically Four Roses, evidence of the link to the standard single barrel, which is the OBSV. Much less floral than the OESQ and with a big, dark spice on the nose. Complex and savory with subtle hints of mint and sweet tea. The palate builds on the powerful nose with a bold, peppery spice with the herbal-side taking over through the middle. Instead of going astringent or bitter on the finish, a sweet salt water taffy flavor pops up to balance things out. This one might be my favorite of the last batch.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 26, 2018

This is a delicious and very interesting single barrel of bourbon. The nose is subtle with the expected caramel notes, but there are pleasant, subtle, woody aromas that are unique and fun to smell. In the mouth, it is full and round, but the flavors are subtle and inviting. This is a bottle to think about and enjoy.

William Beare | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 09, 2018

This whiskey has a smoothness that defies any expectation you might have based on its high rye content (35% of the bill) and extra-potent ABV. The nose has some high-proof heat, but it almost instantly gives way to a very flowery, earthy profile. Think rose petals in the dirty hands of a hard-worked farmer. That garden perfume is the main event here, balanced by some nice rye spiciness.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 08, 2018

For those who want to investigate how a single change in production can dramatically change a whiskey, this barrel compared with the OESQ is a perfect side by side. Same facility, same straight whiskey distillation, same floral yeast strain. The only difference here is the high rye mashbill, and boy what a difference. Instead of the light and fruity components taking center stage, the spicier, more full bodied rye dominates and the sweet banana and floral nectar flavors move back into the finish. It’s like drinking the OESQ in reverse. Both exceptional whiskies, two totally different experiences.

Four Roses K&L Exclusive OESQ (9 Years Old, 8 Months) Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($69.99)

The OESQ recipe offers a floral and fruity whiskey with a medium body.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 29, 2018

Nothing is more fun than tasting at the Four Roses bottling facility, and this barrel and the sister cask are easily the most interesting bourbons to taste head-to-head right now. Similar in age and yeast strain, the only factors that set them apart are the mash bill and the warehousing. Of course, every barrel is unique, but few comparisons will exemplify the importance of mash bill and yeast strain like tasting these two casks. The OESQ is really the complete package. The “low” rye mash bill is still packed to the brim with spice, but tamed by a huge aromatic profile of roses and leather. I typically HATE floral whiskies, but this doesn’t seem perfuming or astringent and adds subtlety rarely present in Four Roses. The palate is a nice contrast to the aromatics of the nose, bringing in dark, dusty tannin and herbal honey to balance. An old school feeling whiskey that evokes the wild west for some reason. Not a bad thing to find in the saloon.

Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 12, 2018

This single cask smells very inviting. The nose is intense with a perfume like sweetness that is impressive and pleasing. In the mouth is is complex with hints of vanilla, spice, dark caramel and dried fruits. Deep and delicious this is one of the best bourbons that I have tasted this year so far.

William Beare | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 09, 2018

A nose like an old dusty cedar-box dripping with caramel, with traces of fruit hiding in the wings. This whiskey smells like riffling through your grandfathers old steamer trunk. Hints of dried red apple and sweet burning wood bulk up an already rich and full flavored body. All the notes you want a classic bourbon to hit, but with an exotically old-school hook that keeps things interesting. Earthy and delicious.

Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 08, 2018

OESQ is always one of my favorite recipes from Four Roses. In particular it’s the Q that I’m always so enthralled with. The careful cultivation of 5 different strains of yeast at Four Roses combined with a proper cask strength bottling makes for the most interesting barrel selections in all of Kentucky. The Q yeast strain provides exceptional floral and fruity notes. In many ways, it reminds me of the delicate flavors of fine Cognac, but then, like a freight train, it hits you with all the body, power, and spice of Kentucky’s finest export.

Four Roses K&L Exclusive OBSV (9 Years Old, 3 Months) Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($69.99)

This OBSV is more evidence that Four Roses’ bourbons don’t need to be 10+ years old to be superlatively good. The aromatics here are big, boisterous spice and dark, stewed fruits balanced by slight hints of graphite and earthy, dry forest notes. The richest, most unctuous palate imaginable that gets hot in the middle in the best way, but goes down without any edges. This is the real deal, and nothing on the shelf touches this 120 proof monster for the price in terms of power, complexity, and balance.

Four Roses K&L Exclusive OESF (9 Years Old, 4 Months) Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($69.99)

OESF is not a recipe we see very often on the tasting floor, but I was happy to find out that this special little whisky was indeed a gorgeous minty little F strain. Tasting blind makes you appreciate the nuances of these special recipes even more. The fresh, herbal quality on the nose is balance wonderfully by a dark, roasted oak component. With air, gorgeous flamed citrus peel, subtle almond butter aromas, and a bold oak spice emerge. An absolute stunner, and the driest of these three barrels.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 29, 2018

OESF is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after yeast strains. What’s particularly special about this one is that it follows exactly what you’d expect from the F yeast strain. Big, minty, herbal, spicy, and complex, I love that intensity on the nose. On the palate, herbal side takes a back seat to the fresh mint and red berry fruit. A little easier going and easily approachable enough for even the most amateur bourbon lover, yet not at all timid. If you like a minty bourbon then we’ve found the cask for you.

A Very Special And Extremely Limited Port Askaig Expression Just Hit U.S. Shores!

PORT ASKAIG 33 YEAR OLD

Distilled in 1984, this single cask of 33-year-old whisky was produced by Islay’s largest distillery, situated just north of the village of Port Askaig.  It is the perfect place to start a journey into Islay whisky and, for many, becomes the malt to go back to time and time again.

This particular cask was specially selected by ImpEx Beverages and Port Askaig whisky-maker Oliver Chilton for its superb marriage of flavors, bringing together gentle smoke and peat reek with thick, juicy notes of Sicilian lemon and delicate honeysuckle. It is both elegant and expansive, highlighting the characteristics we look for when bottling Port Askaig.

Only 115 bottles were produced from a single cask and were bottled exclusively for ImpEx Beverages.

Nose: Soot and embers from a wood-burning stove. Rich orange marmalade and freshly-baked buttery pastry. Crème anglaise dusted with hints of cinnamon and delicate Middle-Eastern spices.

Palate: Oily and thick with a prickly touch of chili. Classic flinty notes come together with orange blossom, juicy satsumas and lemongrass, while an undercurrent of dusty smoke mingles with rock salt and black pepper.

Finish: Flavors of smoked bacon and cloudy honey linger, becoming drier as they develop over the long finish.

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 226: Orkney 15 Year Old 2002 for MMM

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, bottles his next MMM single cask. For the fourth and final bottling in their Antarctica Series – with again a fantastic label thanks to the sharp lens of photographer Ilse Everaert – they travelled to an Orkney distillery. This sherry cask had been sleeping for 15 years and offers a beautiful malt that bursts with fruit, but remains very close to the distillery character at the same time. With an ABV of 53.2% it would even set the heart of a Viking on fire! A worthy conclusion to MMM’s Antarctica Series.

https://youtu.be/0T5rAMH8uao