'World's oldest' single malt

William M. Dowd photo illustration

• This is part of "Gotta Have ...", an ongoing series of occasional postings on unusual spirits products.

What may well be the world's oldest single malt whisky was unveiled Thursday in a ceremony at Edinburgh Castle in the Scottish capital city.

Gordon and MacPhail's Mortlach 70-Year-Old Speyside was sampled at a launch party in Edinburgh Castle, where it was ushered through the doors by pipers and a military escort, a typical Scottish riff for special occasions.

"It matured for 70 years in the cask and that is what makes it the oldest whisky in the world," said a spokeswoman for Gordon and MacPhail.

The whisky was put into a former sherry hogshead cask made from Spanish oakood on October 15, 1938, by the grandfather of the company's managing directors, David and Michael Urquhart.

There will only be 54 full-size bottles -- such as the one shown at left -- priced at £10,000 each ($15,000 US), with 162 smaller bottles sold at £2,000 ($3,000 US). The bottle is of hand-blown, tear-shaped crystal with a silver stopper.

To Dowd's Wine Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Spirits Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Brews Notebook latest entry.
To Dowd's Tasting Notes latest entry.
Back to Dowd On Drinks home page.