Gordon & MacPhail is releasing its ultimate cask to hold the Milton Distillery title, a 72-Yr-Outdated single malt whisky. As we speak, the distillery is named Strathisla, and the 72-Yr-Outdated Scotch from the Highland spirits makers is exceptionally uncommon, with solely 180 bottles out there worldwide.
Matured in a cask stuffed for Gordon & MacPhail, the 72-Yr-Outdated Gordon & MacPhail 1949 from Milton Distillery pays homage to the distillery’s authentic title given by founder George Taylor, and it represents one among only a few releases ever to hold the Milton title. Within the mid-Forties, the location was present process a number of adjustments in possession which resulted within the eventual title change to Strathisla in 1951. The picturesque distillery, with its distinctive twin pagodas, has been in steady manufacturing for the reason that 1700s.
Regardless of the various challenges of the whisky business together with financial despair and battle, Milton continued to function even when the vast majority of whisky manufacturing was halted within the Forties because of a post-war shortage of barley. It was thanks to shut ties with Milton that the valuable spirit was entrusted to Gordon & MacPhail’s to mature in a first-fill Sherry puncheon, the place it could gently slumber for 72 years, lastly bottled at 48.6% ABV.
On the nostril, the sherry influences intertwine with candy vanilla pod and seville orange. In the meantime, stewed forest fruit aromas give solution to vibrant festive spice and mushy lemon zest. The palate finds flavors of butterscotch giving solution to vibrant citrus and nutmeg as baked apple notes come to the fore alongside poached pear and honeycomb. The end is lengthy with lingering apple, darkish toffee, and delicate smoke.
“As soon as once more, Gordon & MacPhail has delved into the darkest recesses of their Elgin warehouse and give you a novel chapter in Scotland’s liquid historical past,” mentioned whisky knowledgeable Gavin D Smith. “That is the primary time in my profession that I’ve sampled a whisky distilled at Milton Distillery – previous to it turning into generally known as Strathisla – which illustrates simply how really valuable and essential this launch is.”
Ewen Waterproof coat, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, commented, “Milton, or Strathisla as it’s identified right now, has small copper stills with a particular form that helps to offer the spirit its wealthy, fruity and full-bodied character. Many years of expertise led us to fill the spirit into a primary fill Sherry puncheon for long-term maturation.
“Having fastidiously assessed its progress down the many years, we really feel now’s lastly the fitting second to disclose this landmark single malt to lovers and collectors. When it comes to rarity, this deserves true ‘icon standing. A Gordon & MacPhail whisky of this age bearing the Milton title has by no means – and can by no means – be seen once more. Its lengthy maturation has seen the cask reward the spirit notes of toffee, spice and a touch of smoke not historically discovered in additional trendy Speyside releases.
“Whether or not it was produced beneath the title Milton or Strathisla, tremendously aged single malts from the location have all the time been met with anticipation. Provided that so few releases have ever carried the Milton title – and that this bottling represents the oldest and our final – we anticipate demand for the 180 decanters to be extraordinarily excessive.”
The 72-Yr-Outdated Gordon & MacPhail 1949 from Milton Distillery, Strathisla, will retail for £50,000 per bottle. For extra info, go to the unbiased bottlers official web site.
Final month, Gordon & Macphail unveiled the second version in its Mr George Legacy collection, a 64-year-old single cask.
