Elgin whisky firm bottles last cask of 1979 Mosstowie malt

AN ELGIN whisky specialist has unveiled its third commemorative whisky released to mark the company’s 125th anniversary.

Gordon & MacPhail's 1979 Mosstowie, from Miltonduff Distillery, is the independent bottler’s last remaining cask from the distillery.

Mosstowie, located within Miltonduff Distillery, was founded in 1964 by industry pioneer Hiram Walker. Mr Walker championed the use of longer Lomond stills to give a variety of flavour profiles.

The £1500-a-bottle whisky has been matured with spirit from the Lomond stills, which produced Mosstowie’s smoky spirit for just 17 years before being removed in 1981. The longer arms of the stills were notoriously difficult to clean.

The 40-year-old whisky was laid down in Gordon & MacPhail’s Elgin warehouse on September 13, 1979, in cask number 20323, a refill sherry hogshead.

Only 164 bottles are available worldwide.

Stephen Rankin, a fourth-generation member of Gordon & MacPhail’s owning family, said: "Each of the extremely rare whiskies released to commemorate our 125th anniversary is truly unique as they are the last cask of that particular make we have maturing in our warehouse.

"With no official bottling ever available of the elusive Mosstowie malt, we are particularly excited to bring this special whisky to the market."

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