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ELGIN, Scotland, September 2, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Whisky creators Gordon & MacPhail today revealed the unique jewel-like decanter

and oak pavilion designed by world-renowned architect and designer Sir David

Adjaye OBE to celebrate their release of the oldest single malt Scotch ever

bottled - Generations 80-Years-Old from Glenlivet Distillery.

The design is a celebration of the artistry, craft and care that went into the

single malt it encases. Its unique form represents Gordon & MacPhail's history

of repeatedly pushing the boundaries in terms of long-term whisky maturation,

where experimentation, patience, and quality have remained the foundations for

progress since 1895.

The creative theme for the ground-breaking release - 'Artistry in Oak' - bears

tribute to both the precious and rare liquid, carefully nurtured in an oak cask

by four generations of the family that owns Gordon & MacPhail, as well as its

stunning presentation. Never before has oak and single malt spirit been

combined for eight decades and the historic liquid has been described by

renowned whisky writer Charlie MacLean as "truly, one of the finest I've ever

encountered."

Ewen Mackintosh, Managing Director at Gordon & MacPhail, comments, "It is often

quoted that the maturation of whisky over very long periods of time is more art

than science. The decanter and oak pavilion that David has created for our

historic release is a true reflection of this art; the presentation is itself a

work of art. I'm sure George Urquhart and his father John, who had the

extraordinary foresight to lay down spirit from the Glenlivet Distillery in a

bespoke Gordon & MacPhail cask to be enjoyed after their lifetime, would love

the design. It pays tribute to their craft and vision."

"Oak is a primary material, produced from the planet," explains David Adjaye.

"I appreciate its preciousness as an integral part of the whisky-making

process. I wanted to create a design that pays tribute to the role oak plays in

transforming liquid into an elixir with almost magical properties."

The jewel-like decanter contains lenses to provide focus on the richly coloured

liquid. A generous volume of crystal balances both heft and delicacy, and

provides a beguiling, tactile presence.

"The gentle combination of liquid, weight and form invokes a sense of care,

responsibility and slowness. As you pour, a sense of time fades and all that is

understood is the preciousness of each drop," adds Adjaye.

Designed to appear as hewn from a single solid block of crystal, the decanter's

curving core needed to be individually hand-blown by experienced artisans

overseen by Glencairn Crystal Studio, experts in ultra-premium decanters and

another family business based in Scotland.

"The ambition was to create a vessel in which Gordon & MacPhail's unique

experience and tradition is transmitted and incorporated," remarks Adjaye. "The

vertical struts of the outer pavilion are reflective of trees in an oak forest

from which the staves of the original cask were hewn.  A pivotal moment in the

design narrative is the relationship between the light and shadow as the casing

recreates the sunlight as it shines through oak trees within a natural forest

setting. The act of opening the pavilion becomes a ceremonial and sensorial

process."

While similar, no two decanters are exactly the same, reflecting the complexity

of the process and its organic nature.

The oak pavilion is constructed from sustainably sourced oaks grown less than

five miles from makers, Wardour Workshops, another family-owned company, based

in Dorset, South West England.

Co-founder at Wardour, Dom Parish, comments, "Oak has this wondrously enduring

quality that lasts forever."

Only 250 70cl decanters have been created. Decanter #1 is being auctioned by

Sotheby's in Hong Kong on 7 October 2021 with a framed cask end from the

original cask and a lithograph of the original concept drawings signed by David

Adjaye. Auction proceeds (minus costs) are being donated to local Scottish

charity Trees for Life whose mission is to rewild the Caledonian forest.

"The donation will help the Trees for Life nursery which grows 100,000 rare and

native trees, including oaks, from seed each year," continues Ewen Mackintosh.

"It's fitting that this whisky will provide a legacy for all that will last for

generations."

Public showcases of the decanter and oak pavilion will be exhibited from early

September 2021 in Sotheby's London, New York and Hong Kong galleries, in

addition to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of Sotheby's

2021 Hong Kong Autumn Sales Series preview exhibition.

GORDON & MACPHAIL GENERATIONS 80 YEARS OLD FROM GLENLIVET DISTILLERY: AVAILABLE

FROM 3 SEPTEMBER 2021

Price on application via gordonandmacphail.com

[http://www.gordonandmacphail.com/]

For details of Sotheby's Hong Kong auction of decanter #1, visit sothebys.com

[https://www.sothebys.com/en/]

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Source: Gordon & MacPhail