Milton : 72 Year Old Strathisla Gordon & MacPhail 1949

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Milton 72 Years Old Strathisla Gordon & MacPhail 1949

Tasting

Nose
Strikingly vibrant, it reveals rich sherry influences interwoven with vanilla pod, bitter Seville orange and lemon zest. To these are added indulgent aromas of stewed red fruits, beeswax and festive spices, all crowned by a delicate woodsmoke.

Palate
Voluptuous, rich and full. Butterscotch flavours give way elegantly to bright notes of citrus, baked apple and poached pear. A honeyed, nutty heart is accompanied by lively spices lifted by a hint of soot. The finish is exceptionally long, stretching out over apple, brown caramel, dark chocolate and a delicate veil of smoke.

Pairings and tasting occasions
This single malt of absolute rarity calls for a contemplative tasting moment, in a quiet setting. It is best enjoyed neat, possibly with a few drops of water to open up the bouquet. To accompany it, favour dishes of great finesse that will not overwhelm its aromas, such as a dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage or high-quality dried fruits.

Mixology
Given its venerable age, its extreme rarity and its status as a collector's piece, this exceptional whisky does not lend itself to any mixology. It is strongly advised to drink it unadulterated to grasp the full extent of its historical complexity.

A Scotch Single Malt of museum-worthy rarity: the ultimate Milton

Gordon & MacPhail: the story behind the Milton Scotch Whisky
Founded at the end of the 19th century in Elgin, in the heart of Speyside, Gordon & MacPhail is recognised as the oldest independent bottler in Scotland. This family-owned company has built its legend by selecting and maturing casks from many partner distilleries over exceptionally long periods. A true guardian of time, the house owns a cask library of unique depth, including this extremely rare Scotch whisky distilled under the former name of Milton. Today, Gordon & MacPhail is taking a historic turn: the company will cease its activity as an independent bottler in 2024 to focus exclusively on its own distilleries, Benromach and The Cairn. As for the original distillery of this malt, Strathisla (formerly Milton), it is now owned by the Chivas Brothers group (Pernod Ricard).

The legacy of the 72 Years Old Strathisla Gordon & MacPhail 1949: a legendary single malt
Distilled in 1949, when the oldest distillery in Speyside still bore the name of Milton, this 72 Years Old Strathisla Gordon & MacPhail 1949 is a Single Malt of extreme rarity. It represents both the oldest whisky ever released by this distillery and the ultimate expression of Gordon & MacPhail to officially bear the Milton label.

This liquid jewel aged for more than seven decades in a single cask, first-fill sherry puncheon no. 383, specially selected and filled according to the bottler's strict specifications. This long slumber allowed the rich, fruity distillate, shaped by the distillery's traditional small copper stills, to develop an unprecedented aromatic depth while retaining a remarkable natural strength of 48.6% vol.

Bottled in 2022 as part of the prestigious Private Collection range, this historic Scotch whisky is presented in a sumptuous luxury case of imposing dimensions; it embodies the end of an era and stands as a true collector's piece, forever capturing the golden age of post-war Scotch.