Malt specialist unveils its war chest

WHISKY from an “exceptionally rare” wartime cask has been released by Gordon & MacPhail.

The Elgin-based malt whisky specialist unveiled Private Collection Glenlivet 1943 by Gordon & MacPhail earlier this month. It is said to be one of the oldest single malt whiskies in the world.

Distilled on January 14, 1943 – a crucial date in the history of WW2 – the new-make spirit was filled into a sherry hogshead at Speyside distillery; the release of Cask 121 also represents the last 1943 vintage from the Gordon & MacPhail stock inventory.

Bottled at cask strength (49.1% ABV), the release contains flavours of dark chocolate, oranges and oakiness which “intermingles with treacle and liquorice and culminates with a subtle, ashy smokiness and an incredibly long finish”.

The latest release from its Private Collection, only 40 decanters were released globally, with a UK price tag of £30,000.