With regards to the general high quality of a whisky, it’s extensively believed that the older the whisky, the extra particular it will be. Now, that isn’t at all times the case, however, usually talking, if a whisky has been accurately aged and matured for a very long time it’s going to be fairly particular. Have you learnt what else it’s going to be? Fairly darned costly too!
As you could or might not know, I lately turned 40, so I’m positively getting on a bit now. In comparison with the very particular dram I’m going to be speaking about at present, nonetheless, I’ll as properly be dancing on TikTok and speaking about rizz and sigma.
Okay, as compared I maybe don’t fairly come throughout as that younger, however you get the purpose I’m making, proper? The dram I’m at present is an 85-year-old record-breaker that was first conceived within the early years of World Battle 2. Advised you it was a particular one.
A Whisky for the Historical past Books
Earlier this yr, you could bear in mind how I reviewed the Macallan Time: Area assortment, which on the time, was the world’s oldest whisky, coming in at a whopping 84 years younger. Effectively, that title has now been misplaced to Gordon & MacPhail, due to their 85-year-old single malt whisky from the Glenlivet Distillery.
When this whisky was first conceived, life was very completely different to how it’s now. It was February 3rd, 1940, when George and John Urquhart, of Gordon & MacPhail, took one single American oak cask, beforehand storing sherry (Cask 336), and stuffed it with spirit from Glenlivet. They did so unselfishly, as they needed to create a whisky to be loved generations later, lengthy after they’d gone.
85 years and a pair of days later, the whisky was lastly awoken from its slumber on February 5th, 2025, and lovingly transferred into 125 bespoke, hand-crafted decanters designed by famend American architect Jeanne Gang, which she has referred to as ‘Artistry in Oak’.
The primary decanter of whisky is heading for New York, the place it’ll go below the hammer at Christie’s public sale home subsequent month (Nov, 2025). Minus prices, the proceeds will go to the American Forests charity to assist help the wonderful oak timber which might be so important for this excellent enterprise we discover ourselves in.
Should you do want to personal a chunk of historical past, the remaining decanters might be picked up for a cool £125,000 every. Higher test behind the couch for that free change!
Artistry in Oak
Make no mistake about it, this launch isn’t only a mature bottle of single malt whisky, it’s a murals.
The decanter expertly designed by Gang, is created to spotlight the synergy between oak and whisky. As , as quickly as whisky enters these wonderful oak barrels, magic begins to occur as they communicate that outdated oak knowledge I like to speak about a lot. It options 4 particular person branches comprised of strong bronze, intertwined round a suspended glass bottle containing whisky greater than eight and a half many years outdated.
The orange of the bottle’s label instantly stands out, creating the looks of a chunk of amber being enveloped by the branches of a sturdy oak tree. Because the designer, Jeanne Gang has thought out each component of this design right down to the final element. Bronze for instance, was chosen as a result of time beyond regulation, it takes on a deeper color and develops a patina, simply as a whisky darkens in color the longer it slumbers in its cask.
Bottled at a really warming 43.7% ABV, the whisky has an excellent wealthy burgundy-amber color to it.
Although I’ve not but been fortunate sufficient to do this wonderful dram, on the nostril, tasting notes have described wealthy mahogany wooden, aged leather-based, apricot compote, dried baking fruits, lime zest, and candy vanilla. There are stated to be frivolously spiced undertones, tied collectively gloriously by a touch of smoked oak chips and beeswax.
On the palate, it’s spicier than one may count on. Deep peppery flavours burst by way of, mixed with dried fruity tobacco, caramelised Seville orange peel, candied ginger, stewed plums, morello cheery and black forest gateaux, and a light-weight sprinkling of toasted oak.
The end has a tremendous tannic mouthfeel due to the oak. It’s wealthy, complicated, full-bodied, and gives notes of candy sherry with underlying natural notes. Wow!
Should you’d prefer to be taught extra about your favorite whiskies, or just deal with your self to a dram or two within the course of, make sure you head on over to GreatDrams.com and try the various collection of distinctive whiskies we at present have in inventory.
With a formidable collection of limited-edition, uncommon, and award-winning whisky, in addition to heaps of whisky information on our weblog, it’s the right spot for any whisky lovers on the market.
