Gordon & MacPhail was founded in 1895 by James Gordon and John Alexander MacPhail. Both shared a taste for fine flavours and their Speyside grocery shop in Elgin soon became a beacon for quality produce, including Scotch whisky. In the first year of trading a young apprentice, John Urquhart, joined the business.
After John MacPhail’s retirement and James Gordon’s passing, both in 1915, John Urquhart became Senior Partner and in 1933 John was joined by his son, George.
Throughout his tenure, George developed a deep understanding of Scotch whisky, especially the unique interaction that occurs over time between spirit and cask. He understood the benefits of long-term thinking and continued to lay down whiskies to be matured for decades.
More recently, members of the third and fourth generations of the Urquhart family have continued to apply a century of experience to the whisky-making process, perfectly matching spirits from over 100 Scottish distilleries to oak casks made to their exacting specifications. Each cask is then matured to its full potential, creating exceptional single malt Scotch whiskies found nowhere else in the world.
In 1993, a lifetime ambition of George was realised, when the family bought Benromach distillery. Over the next 5 years the distillery was completely refurbished with a vision of producing the finest new make spirit. Having a library of stocks, covering the decades, and a wide range of Speyside distilleries, Gordodn & MacPhail were perfectly placed to know what Speyside was all about.
In August 1998 the first spirit came off the stills and Benromach was reborn. The official opening was performed by Prince Charles, who signed cask No.1.
Gordon & MacPhail has always held to the belief that Benromach is a hand-crafted single malt, showcasing the skill of the distiller rather than computers. This remains true today as it did back in 1998. Over time it has invested heavily in its wood policy, now only using first fill casks.
The core expressions are 10, 15 and 21 years old, accompanied by the Contrast range of Organic, Peat Smoke and Cask Strength expressions. Benromach Organic was the world’s first certified Organic Single Malt.
In 2022 the company released a Cara Gold Malt version of Benromach, which has been received with high acclaim and demand has outstripped supply.
The Urquhart family have always looked to the future, knowing what they do today is for tomorrow’s generation. That led to the decision to build a brand-new distillery. After a long search for the perfect location, in The Cairngorm National Park, just on the outskirts of Grantown upon Spey, building of The Cairn distillery commenced. The stunning location needed a stunning Distillery. The building is certainly that, blending into the magnificent scenery on the banks of the River Spey.
For many years Gordon & MacPhail has worked with premium spirits on a UK exclusive basis, helping bring a select portfolio of products to market. These Distributor Partners currently include Blanton’s Bourbon, Compagnie des Indes Rum, Jean Fillioux Cognac and Tullibardine Single Malt. It is constantly searching for new and exciting products and have plans to introduce more over the course of 2022.
Over the years, G&M’s wholesale business has evolved from general wholesaling to specialising in whisky and high-quality spirits, focusing on their own brands and those of their exclusive distributor partners. They operate throughout the UK and across several channels, including specialist whisky retailers, multiple retail grocers and the on-trade bars and hotels. The UK Wholesale team offer specialist advice on product ranges, conduct exclusive in-store and on-line tastings as well as attending key consumer shows.
The UK Team is headed up by Stuart Ellis who is supported by his team, including a trade marketing manager, buyer, sales executives and sales administrators.