Premium packaging for world’s oldest whisky

. . .with the choice of closure a key element Scottish whisky merchant Gordon & MacPhail recently released the world's oldest bottled single malt whisky, the Mortlach 70-year-old, at a ceremony in Edinburgh Castle with a price tag of £10,000 a bottle. Its packaging has been carefully selected and comprises a stunning teardrop-shaped hand-blown crystal decanter sealed with a Prestige cork stopper from Amorim’s Top Series range. Distributed under Gordon & MacPhail’s ‘Generations’ brand, only 54 standard size 700ml decanters with a recommended UK retail price of £10,000 each and 162 smaller decanters (200ml) priced at £2500 have been released. Founded in 1895, Gordon & MacPhail is widely recognised as the custodian of some of the oldest and rarest single malt whiskies. “We believe Mortlach 70 years old is a malt without comparison,” said David and Michael Urquhart, the joint managing directors of Gordon & MacPhail. The whisky has aged since 15 October 1938 in an ex-bodega sherry hogshead cask made from Spanish oak. The stopper features a stylish metallic cap and silver finish carefully designed to match the decanter’s shape and its striking silver base. The packaging is completed with a handmade Brazilian Rosewood box. Corticeira Amorim’s director of marketing and communication Carlos de Jesus said the company was delighted to have its product play a prominent role in the packaging of such a special whisky. “The Top Series range was developed to create custom-made packaging solutions for the premium sector of the spirits market utilising new technology and cutting-edge design,” he said. “The innovative and stylish packaging of Gordon & MacPhail’s 70-year-old whisky is a perfect example of the type of partnerships we will continue to develop with the world’s most important spirits brands.” Corticeira Amorim’s Top Series range was commercially launched early this year specifically to meet the needs of luxury and premium spirits producers. The range takes advantage of natural cork’s performance and sustainability attributes to provide the spirits industry with quality closures that boast strong environmental credentials. Presented in four product segments — Prestige, Elegance, Premium and Classic Value — the range provides a wide array of closure solutions using a variety of elegant materials and state-of-the-art production techniques.  

1 April 2010 - Felicity Murray