Gordon & Macphail released an 85-year-old Glenlivet single malt on October 2, 2025, making it the oldest single malt scotch whisky ever bottled. The historic release features a decanter designed by renowned architect Jeanne Gang and carries a price tag of £125,000.
Artistry in Oak Brings Architecture to World’s Oldest Single Malt
The Scottish whisky company commissioned Gang to create a unique vessel for their most precious release. Her design features four bronze branches that spiral upward to cradle a hand-blown glass decanter, reflecting the relationship between whisky and oak cask maturation.
“It was of utmost importance that the quality of the whisky itself be manifest in the design of the decanter. Made from handblown glass and cast bronze, I thought about how each material would exhibit its own inherent qualities while fulfilling its purpose to hold and protect the liquid,” Gang explained.
The bronze branches draw inspiration from American oak, referencing the wood used in cask 336 that held the spirit for 85 years. Gang selected bronze for its durability and its ability to develop a patina over time, mirroring how whisky deepens in color and character through maturation.
Only 125 decanters will be available worldwide. Christie’s will auction Decanter #1 online from November 7-21, 2025, with proceeds supporting American Forests, the United States’ oldest conservation nonprofit.
Gordon & Macphail’s Legacy with Oldest Single Malt Achievement
Gordon & Macphail has built its reputation over 130 years by managing casks from more than 100 Scottish distilleries. The company, now in its fourth generation of family ownership, selected cask 336 in 1940 during World War II when whisky production across Scotland faced severe constraints.
“One of the greatest challenges was that this has never been done before. We’re the first to mature a whisky for 85 years. Every year that goes by is a year into the unknown,” said Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & Macphail.
The whisky matured in a cask that previously held mature sherry before being filled with Glenlivet spirit on February 3, 1940. At 43.7% ABV, the whisky maintains remarkable strength despite its age.
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Official tasting notes describe aromas of soft aged leather, apricot compote, and cinnamon, with vanilla giving way to dried sultana and aniseed. The palate offers cracked black pepper, sweet dried tobacco, and Seville orange peel, with Morello cherry and plum flavors balanced by subtle oak. The finish is full-bodied with lingering herbal notes.
The release represents a significant milestone in scotch whisky history. While other distilleries have released extremely old whiskies, including an 81-year-old from The Macallan in 2022, this Gordon & Macphail bottling sets a new record for age.
The Christie’s auction lot includes additional items beyond Decanter #1: a personalized tasting with Gordon & Macphail family members, a framed oak tree sketch signed by Gang, and the original cask end from cask 336 in a custom frame.
This release demonstrates the intersection of traditional whisky craftsmanship with contemporary design, creating what the company calls “Artistry in Oak” – a testament to patience, expertise, and the unpredictable nature of long-term maturation.
