Scotch Whisky Tasting: Gordon & MacPhail

Join us for a night of exquisite tasting featuring the incredibly rare 72-Year-Old Whisky, Milton 1949 at the BCLIQUOR 39th & Cambie on Friday, October 18th at 6.30pm.

This in-person event is a must-attend for all whisky enthusiasts. Discover their rich history as you taste through a curated selection of premium whiskies. Hosted by Richard Urquhart, a fourth-generation family member, you will delve into the art of whisky making and what makes Gordon & MacPhail so unique. Don't miss out on this opportunity to indulge in a night of luxury and sophistication.

Space is limited, so be sure to secure your spot early. We can't wait to raise a glass with you!

Discover the featuring products:

1. GORDON & MACPHAIL DISTILLEY MORTLACH 15 - SKU 480310
   The aroma is distinctly malty initially, with fresh aromas of a woodland hedgerow. Delicate sherry notes linger and weave with rich indulgent toffee, sweet liquorice and orange marmalade. The taste is reminiscent of a Black Forest cake; the initial sweetness develops into fruity blackcurrant jam, maraschino cherry and creamy vanilla. Freshly peeled orange notes add a fresh lift. The finish is well-rounded, with hints of candied citrus fruits and oak complementing the lingering malty edge.
   $189.99. This whisky is part of the Premium Spirit Release. Sale available on November 16, 2024.
   
2. GORDON & MACPHAIL GLENROTHES 2009 - SKU 338801
   This single barrel was exclusively selected for BCLIQUOR. A single ex-oloroso sherry cask selected by the Urquhart family of Gordon & MacPhail, this whisky opens with fragrant aromas of vanilla, festive spices and zesty orange. Smooth stewed fruit and milk chocolate flavours on the palate build into raspberry fudge. The full, long finish is tinged with morello cherry and toasted oak.
   $199.99. This whisky is part of the Premium Spirit Release. Sale available on November 16, 2024.
   
3. GORDON & MACPHAIL CONNOISEURS CHOICE GLENROTHES 1988 - SKU 314966
   This 32-year-old Glenrothes has sweet tropical fruit and brown sugar flavours leading to fresh grapefruit. Soft black pepper spice gives way to mixed nuts and light herbal notes. Pineapple lingers on the finish.
   $1,480. This whisky is part of the Premium Spirit Release. Sale available on November 16, 2024.
   
4. GORDON & MACPHAIL SPEYMALT FROM MACALLAN DISTILLERY 1998
   Gordon & MacPhail bottles a series of single malt whiskies from one of the world’s most famous distilleries—Macallan. Established in 1824, the distillery overlooks some of the finest fishing beats on the River Spey. It is likely that whisky has been distilled on the Macallan site, a small hill overlooking the river Spey, since the late 1700’s. The first licensed distillation at Macallan took place in the earliest days of legalised production, in 1824. The distillery changed hands several times throughout the 19th century and in 1894 was bought by Elgin merchant, Roderick Kemp (who also owned Talisker on Skye). Treacle toffee aromas with Medjool dates and orange peel. The palate has rich stewed fruit, dark chocolate and autumnal spices, leading to full and lingering roasted coffee beans.
   $800.
   
5. GORDON & MACPHAIL 1949 FROM MILTON DISTILLERY - SKU 425640
   At 72 years old, this is an exceptionally rare whisky. It is the oldest and last ever single malt to be released to carry the Milton Distillery name. With only 180 bottles available worldwide this is a unique chance to purchase a bottle.
   The cask was laid down in the 1940s, originally known as Milton Distillery, today it is known as Strathisla. The title pays homage to the distillery’s original name given by founder George Taylor, and it represents one of very few releases ever to carry the Milton name.
   In the mid-1940s, the site was undergoing several changes in ownership which resulted in the eventual name change to Strathisla in 1951. The picturesque distillery, with its distinctive twin pagodas, has been in continuous production since the 1700s. Despite the varied challenges of the whisky industry including economic depression and war, Milton continued to operate even when the majority of whisky production was halted in the 1940s due to a post-war scarcity of barley.
   It was thanks to close ties with Milton that the precious spirit was entrusted to ‘Gordon & MacPhail’s to mature in a first-fill Sherry puncheon, where it would gently slumber for 72 years, finally bottled at a remarkable ABV of 48.6%.
   Renowned whisky writer Gavin D Smith describes this liquid as “gloriously drinkable.” He continues, “Once again, Gordon & MacPhail has delved into the darkest recesses of their Elgin warehouse and come up with a unique chapter in Scotland’s liquid history. This is the first time in my career that I've sampled a whisky distilled at Milton Distillery - prior to it becoming known as Strathisla - which illustrates just how truly precious and important this release is.”
   Price: $81,700. Product available to purchase via online draw from October 10 to 21.

Meet your speaker Richard Urquhart

Richard Urquhart is a member of the fourth generation of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail. Established in 1895 and based in Elgin in the north of Scotland the company is famous for selecting, maturing and bottling some of the world’s finest and rarest single malt Scotch whiskies.

Gordon & MacPhail sends casks to distilleries throughout Scotland where they are filled with “new-make” spirit and left to mature for many years at the distillery or in bonded warehouses in Elgin. Gordon & MacPhail bottles over 300 expressions of single malts under various ranges including Connoisseurs Choice, MacPhail’s Collection and Cask Strength. In 2022 the company launched the world’s most exclusive single malt, Generations Glenlivet 80 Years Old by Gordon & MacPhail.

In 1993 they purchased Benromach Distillery in Forres which, after extensive refurbishment and re-equipping, was officially re-opened by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1998.

This was followed in 2022 by the opening of the Cairn Distillery in the Cairngorms National Park.

Richard joined Gordon & MacPhail in 2009 after working in Information Technology for six years. His career at Gordon & MacPhail started by spending two years working through all of departments within the business. Since then, Richard has worked in UK Sales and Marketing before moving to the International Sales team in November 2013, a department that exports the company’s whiskies to over 50 international markets. Richard became of a Keeper of the Quaich a prestigious society whose purpose is to recognise those that have made an exceptional contribution to the Scotch Whisky Industry in 2015.

The LDB is collecting your name and email address for the purposes of completing your event registration, in accordance with section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you have any questions about the collection of this personal information, please contact Senior Manager, Marketing & Advertising, Retail Services, BC Liquor Distribution Branch, 3383 Gilmore Way, Burnaby BC V5G 4S1 Telephone: 604 252-7400 Email: [email protected]

Host or Publisher BCLIQUOR