Gordon & MacPhail release ultra-rare single malt released to honour George Urquhart
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AN ULTRA-RARE single malt whisky has been released to honour George Urquhart – the man described as the ‘father of single malt’.
Just 355 bottles of the Gordon & MacPhail Mr George Legacy 1953 are available from Glen Grant Distillery, the first edition of a single-cask release planned each year.
The 67-year-old whisky was distilled on Christmas Eve 1953 and was laid down on instruction of George Urquhart, also known as ‘Mr George’ by those who knew him best.
Mr George was a member of the second generation of the family that owns Gordon & MacPhail and the release marks the culmination of the company’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
Keen to champion Scotland’s single malts when the vast majority of stock was used for blending purposes, Mr George travelled far and wide from the 1950s, introducing a variety of whiskies to countries around Europe.
Stephen Rankin, grandson of Mr George and Gordon & MacPhail’s director of prestige, said: “My grandfather possessed a passion for taking single malts beyond these shores.
"Over many decades, he built and nurtured close relationships with some of Scotland’s leading distilleries and proudly took as much as he could carry on his international trips.
"I have fond memories of joining him, meeting new people, and telling stories about the casks he had chosen to bring out the best in the different types of spirit.
“He always had a soft spot for Glen Grant Distillery. The Legacy series allows us to explore some of these stories, providing some exceptional whiskies in fitting tribute to Mr George’s life’s work.”
The whisky has spent its whole life in cask no. 4209. The first edition of the Legacy Series, which will cost £5000, was bottled on Tuesday, January 5, at cask strength of 59.4 per cent ABV.
On the nose, the deep mahogany whisky has soft aromas of beeswax polish, stewed fruit and hazelnuts. The taste is characterised by a warming autumnal spice, with notes of plum, blackcurrant and treacle. This gives way to a long, lingering finish with fruit, spice and a hint of bonfire embers.
Charlie Maclean, the whisky expert who described George Urquhart as the father of the single malt, added: "This is a remarkable whisky.
"It is full of the complexity that long maturation can bring, yet it remains astonishingly vivacious. Frankly, it's as good as it gets."
