Mr. George’s Foresight
The remarkable journey began on February 3, 1940, when George Urquhart and his father John filled an American oak cask with spirit from Glenlivet Distillery. George, known affectionately as “Mr George,” understood he would never taste the whisky himself. His vision centered on creating something for future generations to enjoy.
The cask remained untouched in Gordon & MacPhail’s warehouses for 85 years. On February 5, 2025, the family decided the whisky had reached its peak. The resulting liquid emerged at 43.7% ABV, yielding just 125 decanters of this historic expression.
“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-owned company.
Gordon & Macphail Partners With Renowned Architect Jeanne Gang
Gordon & MacPhail selected Jeanne Gang, the internationally acclaimed architect, to create a unique decanter design themed around “Artistry in Oak.” Gang’s portfolio includes innovative buildings that push beyond conventional architectural boundaries..
“I was excited to learn about everything involved in whisky’s creation. Each careful step lends something to a whisky’s unique flavor. Then, there are years of protecting the casks so 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,” Gang stated.
The complete decanter design will be unveiled in October 2025, ahead of the November auction at Christie’s New York.
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Legacy Through Whisky and Conservation
The first decanter will be auctioned to support American Forests, the United States’ oldest national non-profit conservation organization. This partnership reflects Gordon & MacPhail’s commitment to oak sustainability, recognizing the crucial role American oak plays in whisky maturation.
Gordon & MacPhail has spent 130 years matching their own casks with spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries. The company maintains a strict philosophy of releasing whisky only when their century of experience deems it ready. This patient approach has resulted in Gordon & MacPhail often releasing the oldest expressions from various distilleries, including Mortlach and a previous release from The Glenlivet.
Those interested in learning more about this historic release can register their interest at gordonandmacphail.com.
This release surpasses the previous record holder for the world’s oldest whisky, The Macallan TIME: SPACE 84 Year Old, which was unveiled in 2024.
