Glenlivet 21 year old Gordon & MacPhail Single Highland Malt Whisky 40%

When the Duke of Gordon pushed a new excise law through in 1823, he forced a young farmer named George Smith to pick a side. That choice created the distillery that has since given its name to the entire valley, and to this bottle.

Expert Description

Glenlivet 21 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail is a Single Highland Malt Whisky, matured for 21 years and bottled at 40%.

The whisky is distilled at The Glenlivet and bottled by the independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail of Elgin, who since 1895 have specialised in selecting and maturing single malt whisky from Scottish distilleries. The Glenlivet distillery's roots trace back to 1815, when illicit distilling was already taking place in the area, long before George Smith leased land at Upper Drumin Farm in 1817 and obtained the first official licence in 1824. The distillery's success led several neighbours to attach "Glenlivet" to their own names, which in 1880 ended in a court case ruling that only one whisky had the right to be called "The Glenlivet".

Tasting Notes

Nose

Mature and rounded, with dried fruit and a hint of honey, typical of a long-matured Gordon & MacPhail bottling.

Palate

Soft and rounded with notes of nuts and a light spiced warmth that builds on the fruity base character.

Finish

Long and elegant, with a dry, lightly oaked close.

Specifications

Name: 21 Year Old
Distillery: The Glenlivet
Bottler: Gordon & MacPhail
Region/Country: Highland, Scotland
Type: Single Highland Malt Whisky
Age: 21 Years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Nutty · Soft · Elegant

Investment Potential

Medium. Older Gordon & MacPhail bottlings of The Glenlivet from previous years are no longer in production in this exact form, giving them growing interest among collectors of independent bottlings.

Did You Know?

Gordon & MacPhail historically classified The Glenlivet under the "Highland" designation rather than "Speyside", an older regional division still seen on some of their labels, even though most whisky drinkers today place the distillery in Speyside.

See our full range of The Glenlivet and our full range of Gordon & MacPhail

Frequently Asked Questions about Glenlivet 21 Year Old Gordon & MacPhail

Why does the label say Highland instead of Speyside?

Gordon & MacPhail traditionally use the older regional designation Highland for The Glenlivet, while most whisky sources today place the distillery in the Speyside region.

Is this whisky worth the money?

21 years of maturation combined with Gordon & MacPhail's long experience in cask selection makes this bottling a solid choice for enthusiasts seeking a mature, well-developed single malt from a respected independent bottler.

What is the difference between a distillery bottling and a Gordon & MacPhail bottling?

Where a distillery bottling is bottled and released by The Glenlivet itself, Gordon & MacPhail purchased and matured this cask independently, which often gives a different cask profile and expression compared with the distillery's own releases.

Should this whisky be enjoyed neat or with water?

At 40% it can easily be enjoyed neat, but a few drops of water can open up the dried fruit notes and make the nose more accessible.

Does this whisky make a good gift for a collector?

Yes, the high age and Gordon & MacPhail's status as one of Scotland's oldest and most respected independent bottlers make it a fitting choice for a recipient interested in independent bottlings.

Who is Gordon & MacPhail?

Gordon & MacPhail is a family-owned, independent bottler from Elgin in Scotland, which since 1895 has specialised in purchasing, maturing and bottling single malt whisky from a wide range of Scottish distilleries.