"Early in 1940, the Ministry of Food cut the supply of barley to distilleries by a third. At Glenlivet, production dropped by two thirds. That makes this whisky even more of a miracle. You had people laying down spirit not knowing what flag was going to be flying over their house when it turned into a Scotch whisky: a Union flag or a Swastika. For companies like Gordon & MacPhail to be laying down spirit through these tough years was a real statement of optimism."
"It may seem remarkable that two casks, sitting side by side for more than a lifetime, should both break the same world record. In truth, it was no accident. Gordon & MacPhail traces its penchant for hyper-aged malts back to 1933, when George Urquhart began his whisky career alongside his father, John. By 1940, both John and George appreciated how whisky continues to improve if left to age in oak for decades."
Fifteen first-fill sherry butts were filled with newmake spirit at Glenlivet as Britain readied for war; one became an 80-year-old bottled in 2021 and another has reached 85 years. The 85-year-old, named Artistry in Oak, reclaims the oldest-Scotch record from an 84-year-old Macallan. Only 125 bottles exist: one will be auctioned for charity and 124 will be sold at £125,000 ($170,000) each. Gordon & MacPhail's practice of laying down spirit for decades dates to 1933. Early WWII barley rationing cut supply and reduced Glenlivet production, making the long-aged casks an optimistic investment. The release ranks among the most expensive single malts on the primary market.
Read at Elite Traveler
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