Glenlivet 85 Years Old Marks World's Oldest Single Malt

Independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail G&M is renowned for its exceptionally aged single malt whiskies. Their latest release, Gordon & MacPhail 85 Years Old from Glenlivet Distillery, has set a new record as the oldest single malt whisky ever bottled. This extraordinary whisky dates back to the early 1940s, a period when Scotch whisky production was significantly impacted by the early stages of World War II, with The Glenlivet Distillery also experiencing reduced output.

During that challenging time, The Glenlivet owner Bill Smith Grant agreed to allow G&M to fill several casks. As an authorized bottler for the distillery, G&M oversaw the filling of five ex-Sherry hogsheads on February 3, 1940, under the supervision of John Urquhart and his 21-year-old son, George. Cask number 336 among these would later hold the distinction of containing the oldest single malt whisky in history.

Stephen Rankin, G&M's current Prestige Director and a fourth-generation family member, explained, The Glenlivet was willing to monetize their spirit while also securing storage income. He further noted that the casks remained at The Glenlivet site until 1968 before being transferred to Elgin, marking only the first stage of cask 336's long journey.

At the time, the Scotch whisky market was predominantly led by blended whiskies. G&M, however, uniquely focused on bottling single malt whiskies, with a preference for aged expressions. More than eighty years later, on February 5, 2025, precisely 85 years and 2 days after its filling, the whisky from cask 336 was finally bottled. After its extensive maturation, Stephen Rankin estimates that only about 20% of the original liquid remained, bottled at 43.7% ABV.

While the length of maturation is astonishing, the exceptional quality of the spirit is paramount. Rankin emphasized that this Glenlivet was bottled not just for its age, but for its outstanding quality, a result of their long-term monitoring. Cask 336 was originally a transport cask for Williams & Humbert Rich Oloroso from Jerez, Spain. Made from American oak Quercus alba, its robust structure helped slow down the whisky's maturation process.

During tasting, Rankin perceived fresh, vibrant characteristics. Subsequently, subtle hints of cold coal smoke, a remnant of the direct-fired stills of that era, alongside wonderful orange notes and smoky, industrial wafts from this period, became more integrated and refined after extended aging. This presented various facets of the liquid's long life, as if carrying the brilliance and sedimentation of the years.

2025-10-02

Source: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/glenlivet-85-year-old-the-story-of-the-worlds-oldest-single-malt/