Only 125 decanters are available, each priced at £125,000/US$168,000.

Leading fine wines and luxury spirits retailer Le Clos has partnered with independent whisky bottler Gordon & MacPhail to introduce Generations 85YO, the world’s oldest single malt Scotch whisky, into the travel retail channel.

The Generations 85YO will be available exclusively in Dubai International Airport through Le Clos, the sole global travel retail distribution partner. Le Clos Private Client management is also accepting enquiries for global in-bond or UAE delivery.

The release is described as a historic milestone in whisky production. The single cask was laid down by George Urquhart and his father John, on 3 February 1940, at the Glenlivet Distillery in Speyside. On 5 February 2025, the cask was finally drawn, yielding just 125 decanters at 43.7% ABV. Each decanter is priced at £125,000/US$168,000.

The cask – an American oak ‘transport cask’ originally used to ship rich Oloroso Sherry from Jerez – features unusually thick staves and tight grain, preserving the whisky’s equilibrium throughout eight and a half decades.

The liquid, presented in a decanter designed by award-winning American architect Jeanne Gang, explores the theme of ‘Artistry in Oak’. It is described as a sculptural meditation that honours both the craftsmanship within and the heritage it embodies.

Another landmark release for Le Clos

The whisky is presented in a decanter designed by award-winning American architect Jeanne Gang, which explores the theme of ‘Artistry in Oak’.

“We’ve not bottled this just because it’s 85 years old, but because we’ve been monitoring it for so long, and we know that it’s outstanding,” explained Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail and fourth-generation family member.

Generations 85YO continues Gordon & MacPhail’s legacy of record-breaking releases, which to date includes an 80-year-old Glenlivet and a 75-year-old Mortlach, cementing the house’s position within ultra-aged single malts.

Charles Newman, Head of Private Clients at Le Clos, noted: “This landmark release marks an exciting new chapter in the long-standing partnership between the Urquhart family of Gordon & MacPhail and Le Clos. We are proud to be entrusted with bringing such a historic and exceptional whisky to collectors in Dubai and across the globe.”

Purchasers of Generations 85YO through Le Clos Private Clients will enjoy an exclusive private tasting with a member of the Gordon & MacPhail family, providing a personal introduction to the heritage, craftsmanship, and subtle nuances of the whisky.

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