Glenlivet 70 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail

The World's Oldest Scotch Whisky. Second release of the Gordon & MacPhail's Generations range. Glenlivet single sherry butt laid down on 3rd February 1940. Cask #339. Bottled 7th September 2010.

This rare war-time vintage is beautifully presented in a tear-shaped hand-blown crystal decanter with an elegant British Hallmarked silver stopper. The decanter nestles in a sterling silver base and is framed in a handmade box, crafted in Scotland using Scottish Elm. Just 100 bottles have been created.

Glenlivet

Glenlivet Distillery was established in 1824 and following expansion in 2010 is now equipped with fourteen stills making it one of the largest malt whisky distilleries in Scotland. Glenlivet Distillery is situated in Scotland’s Speyside whisky region near the River Livet and has a visitor centre which offers distillery tours with the opportunity to sample Glenlivet single malt whiskies. Glenlivet also participates in the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

Palate: a mild nose-feel. The first aroma is of an old cocktail cabinet, with Sherry notes predominating; polished wood, soft leather and a trace of candle wax. Behind this are fruity notes, lightly baked apples (even Tarte Tatin), but also fresh orange juice, and just a thread of smoke or ash in the distance. Adding a drop of water suppresses the fruity notes and slightly enhances the sweetness (now tablet) and smokiness. 

Nose: a waxy, teeth-coating mouthfeel; smooth and voluptuous. The taste is sweetish to start, then savoury, with a trace of salt – might this be a rare example of ‘umami’ in whisky, the elusive fifth primary taste? The finish is long, with a faint smokiness in the aftertaste. Drinks well at natural strength. With a drop of water the flavours remain intact.