This October, the esteemed custodians of whisky, Gordon & MacPhail, will unveil the oldest single malt Scotch whisky ever bottled. To house this liquid history—an 85-Year-Old from The Glenlivet Distillery—they commissioned a vessel worthy of its story, turning to internationally acclaimed architect Jeanne Gang.
The result is ‘Artistry in Oak,’ a decanter that is more a sculptural narrative than container. In a partnership built on shared values of legacy and reverence for nature, Jeanne Gang’s design captures the very essence of the whisky’s eight-and-a-half-decade rest. Four solid bronze branches spiral upwards, cradling a hand blown glass vessel in a delicate embrace- a homage to the American oak cask that housed the spirit since 1940.
“It was of utmost importance that the quality of the whisky itself be manifest in the design,” explains Gang. “I thought about how each material would exhibit its own inherent qualities while fulfilling its purpose to hold and protect.”
Bronze, an enduring material, like the whisky it holds, evolves beautifully over time. As it develops a rich patina, it mirrors the way the spirit deepens in colour and character. This release is the culmination of Gordon & MacPhail’s 130-year mission to create single malts of exceptional quality and the foresight of the Urquhart family, who filled cask 336 all those years ago.
“One of the greatest challenges was that this has never been done before,” comments Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige and a fourth-generation family member. “We’re the first to mature a whisky for 85 years. Every year that goes by is a year into the unknown… the key traits of this process are patience and trust.”
With only 125 decanters available worldwide, each is a collector’s piece. In a tribute to the oak that makes such artistry possible, Gordon & MacPhail will support the non-profit American Forests via an online auction of Decanter #1 in partnership with Christie’s. The auction lot is a complete experience of this milestone, including a private tasting with a Gordon & MacPhail director, Gang’s framed, signed preliminary sketch, and the original cask end that held the whisky for 85 years.
A Taste of History
To taste this whisky is to taste time itself. The extended maturation in a single sherry-seasoned cask has imparted a remarkable depth and vibrancy at 43.7% ABV.
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Aroma: Soft, aged leather leads to apricot compote, cinnamon, and subtle waxy citrus. Vanilla gives way to dried sultana and aniseed with an underlying beeswax polish.
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Flavours: Smooth and vibrant with cracked black pepper and sweet dried tobacco, followed by Seville orange peel. Morello cherry and plum are balanced by subtle oak.
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Finish: A full-bodied finish with lingering herbal notes.
Gordon & MacPhail 85 Years Old from The Glenlivet Distillery is available from Christie’s Online Auction, opening for bids on Friday 7th November and concluding on Friday 21st November 2025, priced at £125,000 ($168,000) with proceeds of the lot (minus costs) donated to the American Forests. The lot will include Decanter #1, a personalised whisky tasting hosted by Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige Stephen Rankin or Richard Urquhart, Sales Director, both fourth generation family members; a framed, signed sketch of an oak tree by Jeanne Gang, which informed the decanter’s design; and the cask end of cask 336 which nurtured the single malt Scotch whisky, presented in a bespoke frame.
