4.8/5 with 11,500+ reviews
A truly historic release from Gordon & MacPhail, this 85 Year Old single malt from Glenlivet Distillery stands as the world’s oldest Scotch whisky ever bottled.
Distilled on 3rd February 1940 and laid down in a single American oak cask by George Urquhart and his father John, this remarkable whisky represents the pinnacle of patience, vision, and craftsmanship. For eighty-five quiet years, the whisky rested in Cask #336 until, on 5th February 2025, its journey came to an end.
Only 125 decanters were filled, each presented in a bespoke creation designed by the acclaimed American architect Jeanne Gang, whose “Artistry in Oak” decanter design reflects both the natural beauty of wood and the enduring legacy of Gordon & MacPhail’s craft.
At 43.7% ABV, this extraordinary whisky opens with aromas of soft aged leather, apricot compote, cinnamon, and subtle waxy citrus fruits. Hints of vanilla, dried sultana, aniseed, and beeswax polish emerge as it develops, with delicate smoky undertones in the background. The palate is smooth yet vibrant, offering cracked black pepper, sweet dried tobacco, Seville orange peel, and rich plum and Morello cherry, balanced perfectly by gentle oak spice. The finish is long and full-bodied, with lingering herbal notes and a refined complexity that only time can bestow.
A once-in-a-lifetime whisky.
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