Gordon & MacPhail release single malt scotch whisky from Milton Distillery – Scotch Whisky News
Gordon & MacPhail releases historic Single Malt Whisky
Gordon & MacPhail is releasing its last cask laid down in the 1940s from Milton Distillery, today known as Strathisla. This is the oldest and last ever single malt to be released by Gordon & MacPhail to carry the Milton Distillery name.
Matured in a cask filled for Gordon & MacPhail, the 72-Year-Old Gordon & MacPhail 1949 from Milton Distillery is exceptionally rare, with only 180 bottles available worldwide. The distillery’s original name was given by founder George Taylor, and this single malt represents one of very few releases ever to carry the Milton name.
It was thanks to close ties with Milton that the precious spirit was entrusted to Gordon & MacPhail to mature in a first-fill Sherry puncheon, where it would gently slumber for 72 years, finally bottled at a remarkable ABV of 48.6%.
Renowned whisky writer Gavin D Smith said of this 72 years old whisky, “Once again, Gordon & MacPhail has delved into the darkest recesses of their Elgin warehouse and come up with a unique chapter in Scotland’s liquid history. This is the first time in my career that I’ve sampled a whisky distilled at Milton Distillery – prior to it becoming known as Strathisla – which illustrates just how truly precious and important this release is.”
Ewen Mackintosh, managing director at Gordon & MacPhail adds: “Milton, or Strathisla as it is known today, has small copper stills with a distinctive shape that helps to give the spirit its rich, fruity and full-bodied character. Decades of experience led us to fill the spirit into a first fill Sherry puncheon for long-term maturation. Having carefully assessed its progress down the decades, we feel now is finally the right moment to reveal this landmark single malt to enthusiasts and collectors. In terms of rarity, this deserves true ‘icon’ status. A whisky of this age bearing the Milton name has never – and will never – be seen again. Its long maturation has seen the cask gift the spirit notes of toffee, spice and a hint of smoke not traditionally found in more modern Speyside releases.”
“Whether it was produced under the name Milton or Strathisla, greatly aged single malts from the site have always been met with anticipation. Given that so few releases have ever carried the Milton name – and that this bottling represents the oldest and our last – we expect demand for the 180 decanters to be extremely high.”
Matured in cask 383, a first-fill Sherry puncheon, and bottled at 48.6% ABV, this whisky will be available to pre-order from selected whisky specialists from 25th July 2022.
To discover more about this one-of-a-kind whisky and to see Gordon & MacPhail’s latest feature films starring industry titans including – Christopher Coates, Becky Paskin, Alice Lascelles and Charlie Maclean click below.
