The new release, a 70-year-old Scotch whisky from Glen Grant, is among the oldest age statement whiskies ever. It’s a fitting tribute to ‘Mr George,’ who went against the grain by championing aged single malts in an industry dominated by blends.
Distilled in 1954 and left in a first-fill sherry puncheon for its entire 70 years, Mr George’s legacy will have helped see it to such an extraordinary age. Not only did he champion single malt whiskies, but aged ones as well. That belief has reaped significant rewards in the last decade, with Gordon & MacPhail able to release whiskies up to 80 years old with frightening regularity.
All five whiskies in the Mr George Legacy Series are above 60 years old, and all come from Glen Grant, pointing to his fondness not only for aged spirits but for the Speyside distillery, too. Most of Gordon & MacPhail’s oldest releases come from Glen Grant, known for its fruity character and suitability for long-term ageing.
This release stretches the limits of ageing. Ordinarily, the oldest whiskies spend the majority of their time in second- or third-fill casks, meaning they have been used to age other whisky beforehand and are therefore less active. By comparison, this first-fill will have come straight from the bodega, wood soaked in sherry. The activity levels would have been high, and the result is a distinctive influence on the liquid.
Gone are Glen Grant’s traditionally light and fruity characteristics, replaced by aged notes of stewed prunes, cinnamon, dark chocolate and oak spice. There are some sweeter notes on the nose, with hints of dried orange peel and even whisps of apple skin, but the palate is more antiques market than fruit market.
Still, if you’re buying a 70-year-old whisky looking for vibrancy, then you have been missold. This is a traditional single malt made in the traditional sense – rich, full of mature flavors and it shows its age proudly. Bottled at 50.5%, it’s strong enough to take a few drops of water. Doing so dials back the spice on the palate and reveals more chocolatey flavors.
Stuart Urquhart, operations director at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “The fifth and final release from the Mr George Legacy Series is the perfect tribute to my grandfather’s lifetime of work, which still impacts our approach today. As we celebrate our 130th anniversary, we not only honor the past but also inspire future generations to continue the innovation and craftsmanship championed by ‘Mr George.’
“As a fourth-generation, family-owned business, we want to commemorate our historic roots and while the Mr George Legacy Series may culminate with this release, my grandfather’s quest for perfection lives on within Gordon & MacPhail.”
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Mr George Legacy Series 1954 is available globally at an SRP of £8,000 (approx $10,800), although prices will vary in local markets, gordonandmacphail.com