The world’s oldest single malt Scotch whisky, Gordon & MacPhail 85 Years Old, from Glenlivet Distillery will be released in October 2025.
First laid down by George Urquhart, ‘Mr George’, and his father, John in February 1940 in American oak casks, the decision was taken to finally empty the cask in February 2025 with a total of 125 decanters of the 85 years old whisky bottled by Gordon & MacPhail.
“This whisky is truly exceptional due to its remarkable history and unique maturation process. The influence of the cask, combined with the rarity and scarcity of the liquid, creates a whisky with a strength of 43.7% ABV that is not only extraordinary in its taste but also a living piece of history,”explains Stephen Rankin Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail, and member of the fourth generation of the family that owns the company.
Gordon & MacPhail has partnered with acclaimed American architect Jeanne Gang, to create a unique decanter to house the ‘world’s most precious whisky to date’. The product design themed around ‘Artistry in Oak’ will be revealed later this year.
Gang said, “I was excited to learn about everything involved in the whisky’s creation. Each careful step lends something to a whisky’s unique flavour. Then, there are years of protecting the casks so that they can age.
“In architecture, these elements of materiality and time also play a critical role in the design process. Both are about creating something enduring, so this is what I found inspiring about this opportunity to design a decanter for Gordon & MacPhail’s 85-year-old single malt whisky”.
Jeanne Gang’s decanter will be revealed in October 2025, with decanter #1 auctioned by Christie’s New York in November 2025. To continue the legacy theme, auction proceeds (minus costs) will be donated to the oldest national non-profit conservation organisation in the United States, American Forests, a leader in forest restoration.
Stephen Rankin said, “Given the importance of oak in our craft, this partnership was a natural fit, aligning with our mission to leave a meaningful legacy for ongoing generations, via fundraising for the sustainable future of American oak trees.”