Gordon & MacPhail honours silent distilleries with rare whisky releases

–Malt whisky creator unveils 2019 Summer Collection–

Single malt Scotch whisky creator Gordon & MacPhail has unveiled its Summer Collection, which includes some of the oldest ever whisky releases from two silent distilleries.

Bottled as part of its ‘Private Collection’ range, Gordon & MacPhail 1969 from Dallas Dhu Distillery is joined by Gordon & MacPhail 1982 from St. Magdalene Distillery, a 38-year-old single malt.

Single malts in the Private Collection are personally selected by members of the Urquhart family that has owned Gordon & MacPhail for four generations. For over a century, the specialist has matured spirit from more than 100 Scottish distilleries in its own casks to create a liquid library found nowhere else in the world.

A third Private Collection release, Gordon & MacPhail 1966 from Longmorn Distillery will be available as part of the Summer Collection. The Speyside malt has been matured in a first-fill Sherry butt for 53 years, which has delivered a rich, dark mahogany colour, intense fruitcake notes on the nose and dark fruits on the palate.

These unique and rare releases are contained in bespoke crystal decanters housed in beautifully crafted wooden veneer presentation cases.

Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail said, “Our ‘Private Collection’ whiskies embody the expertise, skill and patience that has been passed down over four generations of my family.

“My grandfather, George Urquhart, recognised an opportunity to match new make spirit with carefully selected casks at a time when the vast majority of production went into blends. Over the decades he was able to master this art which has become his legacy.

“He could never be persuaded to bottle a whisky before he believed it had reached its ultimate peak in terms of quality – a tradition we’re proud to continue today.”

Gordon & MacPhail 1969 from Dallas Dhu Distillery [UK RRP £6950*]

Less than two miles outside Forres, Dallas Dhu was one of the westernmost Speyside distilleries. Closed in 1983, the distillery was designed by famed architect Charles Doig, who also designed the Gordon & MacPhail retail shop in Elgin.

Matured in a refill Sherry hogshead cask no. 1656 on 10 June 1969, only 176 bottles of Gordon & MacPhail 1969 from Dallas Dhu Distillery will be available for purchase from selected specialist whisky retailers internationally.

Gordon & MacPhail 1982 from St. Magdalene Distillery [UK RRP £1000]

The Gordon & MacPhail 1982 from St. Magdalene Distillery is believed to be one of the oldest bottled single malts from the distillery which used to stand in Linlithgow in the Scottish Lowlands.

A distillery with a rich and varied past, St. Magdalene was initially known as Linlithgow Distillery, before a merger with Bonnytoun Farm Distillery in 1826 led to a renaming. The distillery was built on the lands of St. Magdalene’s Cross Convent, although today all that remains is the malting barn and kiln.

Laid down the year prior to the distillery closing its doors for the last time, the Gordon & MacPhail 1982 from St. Magdalene Distillery was matured in cask no. 2092, a refill American hogshead. Only 161 bottles available to purchase from select whisky retailers internationally.

Gordon & MacPhail 1966 from Longmorn Distillery [UK RRP £6950]

Unlike many Scottish distilleries founded during the whisky boom at the end of the 19th century, Longmorn has continued with constant production right up until the present day.

Just 398 bottles are available of the Gordon & MacPhail 1966 from Longmorn Distillery, with the 53-Year-Old single malt whisky matured in cask no. 610, a first fill Sherry butt.

For more information on the 2019 Summer Collection visit: www.gordonandmacphail.com/our-whiskies/ranges/summer-collection/

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Further releases from the 2019 Summer Collection include Connoisseurs Choice 1989 from Balblair Distillery (UK RRP £400*), Connoisseurs Choice 2006 from Caol Ila (UK RRP £89.75*) and Connoisseurs Choice 1995 from Royal Brackla (UK RRP £167*).

29 July 2019

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

Tasting notes

Gordon & MacPhail 1969 from Dallas Dhu Distillery (Private Collection)

43.1% ABV, outturn of 176 bottles, UK RRP of £6,950.

Matured in cask no. 1656, a refill Sherry hogshead. 

Colour: Mahogany

Aroma: Aromas of rich fruitcake laden with plump raisins, sultanas, and orange peel. An elegant sweetness of candied ginger, almond marzipan, and treacle toffee. Wisps of wood smoke and tobacco linger upon a backdrop of subtle oak. 

Taste: Toffee apples with fruit and nut dark chocolate flavours accompany mouth-warming cracked peppercorns. Spice sits in the background while wood tannins begin to take hold.

Finish: Lingering and warming; roasted coffee beans evolve into a subtle herbal edge. Full of character with a crisp clean edge. 

Gordon & MacPhail 1966 from Longmorn Distillery (Private Collection)

46.0% ABV, outturn of 398 bottles, UK RRP of £6950.
Matured in cask no.610, a first fill Sherry butt

Colour: Darkest mahogany

Aroma: Intense sweet fruitcake aromas align with brown sugar, sticky prunes and candied citrus peel. Spice provides warmth with cinnamon and clove. Hints of vanilla come to the fore followed by forest fruits. A delicate oak smoke is present.

Taste: Sweet with bursts of pepper. Steeped dark fruits – blackberry and ripe cherries envelop warming spice leading to flavours of liquorice with dried tobacco and oak.

Finish: Long; mulled fruits and charred oak providing a subtle ash finish. 

Gordon & MacPhail 1982 from St. Magdalene Distillery (Private Collection)

53% ABV, outturn of 161 bottles, UK RRP of £1,000.

Matured in cask no. 2092, a refill American hogshead.

Colour: Golden

Aroma: Waxy lemons entwine with zesty lime and ripe banana. Creamy vanilla custard and almond marzipan aromas are layered with freshly cut grass and floral tones. Aniseed sits in the background.

Taste: Sweet; hints of cracked black pepper and candied tropical fruits give a touch of sweetness before rich dark chocolate truffle centred with salted caramel flavours come through.

Finish: Light and delicate with subtle hints of toasted malt, aniseed, and humidor.

Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies

Established in 1895, family-owned Gordon & MacPhail is curator 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 partnership 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 warehouse 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 April 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.