Christie’s to Auction Gordon & MacPhail 85-Year-Old Whisky

A whisky reminiscent of the slow, steady rhythm of life comes into auction at Christie’s this November. The release of Decanter #1 is a huge moment in history, holding the world’s oldest single malt Scotch ever bottled - a whisky rich in history and care. An ode to patience and the passage of time, the whisky certainly reflects its translation as the ‘water of life’, capturing centuries of craftsmanship in every drop. And with the rise of fast and ever-changing products, available everywhere and anywhere, the profundity of this release reminds us that the things most real, take time.

As Adam Bilbey, the Christie’s Global Head of Wine and Spirits reflects, “The unveiling of Decanter No. 1 from Gordon & MacPhail 85 Years Old is not just a highlight of our season—it’s a celebration of time, tradition, and craftsmanship.” 

After eight and a half decades, Gordon & MacPhail could not release such a whisky without paying its due regard in the visualisation of Decanter #1. They seemed to have really hit the nail on the head, and we truly owe whoever came up with it. 

Bringing in Jeanne Gang, the renowned architect and bona fide creative innovator, the expectation of what a whisky decanter should be was completely reimagined. I mean, if you’ve seen her work, which we’re certain everyone has, you know that this will be no ordinary project.  

From a seed to a sapling, and then a tree, we all know that beauty lies in the journey, and after 85 years we are finally able to see the result of this. With only 125 decanters available worldwide and a RSP of £125,000, this release is not just a collector’s dream but a work of art.  

As a collector’s piece, Decanter #1 will be auctioned by Christie’s New York on the 7th of November, with proceeds going to the American Forests charity. 

The Story Behind Gordon & MacPhail's Decanter #1

A whisky with strong roots and laid down in 1940 within the Glenlivet Distillery, its character as the oldest single malt Scotch to exist is just a small part of this story that makes it one of a kind. 

1940 marked a year of looming conflict and the British government began rationing barley in hopes of preserving resources. Yet despite the uncertain times, the first generation of Gordon & MacPhail looked to the future. This decision to bottle a whisky believed to be savoured decades later, even when the very notion of tomorrow was uncertain, was a remarkable act of foresight and courage. In the years that followed, barley production was all but halted, making the chances of stumbling across whisky stocks from this decade an extraordinary rarity.  

The cask itself adds an entirely new chapter to the whisky’s story. Cask #336, made from a roughly 100-year-old tree planted in the early 19th century, (meaning the wood is in fact 200 years old) has been witness to monumental moments in history, from the accession of nine monarchs to the rise and fall of empires and the technological revolutions that have shaped the modern world. 

What’s more, the dimensions of Cask No. 336 meant less evaporation, slowing down and elevating the maturation of the whisky. So, the heavens can be happy that the ‘angels’ share’ (a term in the world of whisky for the rate of evaporation) was low, preserving more of the spirit’s character over time. 

Equally rich in flavour as it is in history, the spirit offers delicate aromas of aged leather, apricot, and cinnamon, gently unfolding into layers of vanilla and beeswax. The palate is smooth yet complex, with hints of black pepper, dried tobacco, and Seville orange, complemented by rich notes of cherry and oak, and culminating in a long, lingering herbal finish. 

Jeanne's Gang Vision of 'Artistry in Oak' 

An architect with an impressive portfolio, Jeanne Gang, has proved yet again how intention and meaning is integral in every project she undertakes, from architecture to artful design. Named as one of TIME magazines most influential people in the world, Gang beautifully undertook the challenge of translating such an exceptional whisky into a decanter that stands as a work of art in its own right.  

As Gang reflects, “It was of utmost importance that the quality of the whisky itself be manifest in the design of the decanter.” 

Intention guided every part of the process, from the choice of materials to the design of the decanter itself. It was essential to Gang that the vessel embodied the story of the whisky it contained. Drawing inspiration from American oak – a nod to the cask that nurtured the spirit – the design is a true testament to heritage and craftsmanship.

The glass vessel, supported by intertwining bronze branches, reflects the symbiotic relationship of that between the whisky and the cask. Over time, as the bronze develops a natural patina, it further reflects the passage of time and the evolving character of the whisky within.  

“Together, the elements depend on and complement each other, in a reciprocal dance whose form, like the whisky it holds, is a product of both natural growth and the nature of its materiality,” expresses Gang.

Under the Hammer at Christie's

Taking place in the sanctuary of luxury relics, otherwise known as Christie's, Decanter #1 will be auctioned online, with bids opening on the 7th of November until the 21st of November and proceeds going to American Forests, a non-profit conservation organisation.

Alongside Decanter #1, lucky bidders will also receive a personalised whisky tasting hosted by a Gordon & MacPhail fourth generation member, a framed, signed sketch of an oak tree by Jeanne Gang and the cask end of Cask #336 which nurtured the single malt Scotch whisky, presented in a bespoke frame. And not to mention, bragging rights as the owner of the oldest single malt Scotch ever bottled.  

Find out more about 'Artistry in Oak' at gordonandmacphail.com.

The auction of 'Artistry in Oak' will go live from Christie's New York on the 7th November until the 21st November. 

Register via christies.com.