Whisky Focus - Gordon & MacPhail Rare Vintage Strathisla 1967 Review

Review of Gordon & MacPhail Rare Vintage Strathisla 1967.

Gordon & MacPhail Rare Vintage Strathisla 1967 was matured in 1st Fill Sherry butts and bottled on the 26th January 2015 at 43% ABV.

In partnership with each respective distillery, all whiskies in Gordon & MacPhail's Rare Vintage range are uniquely labelled. In years gone by many of these unique designs were used ‘officially’ to bottle the whisky under licence from the distillery including Strathisla. Today these trusted relationships with distillers enables Gordon & MacPhail to bottle exclusive vintages of single malt at various strengths – all with their unique distillery label.

William Morrison's Tasting Notes:

Nose:  Enticing mature sherry oak, raisiny sweetness, dried dates and orange, a bit of waxiness.

Taste: Dark rich sherried fruitcake, burnt raisins, sultanas and orange. Mature oak which is joined by some lovely spices, some runny honey, a touch of coffee and tobacco brings a little bitterness.

Finish: A long finish sees the the mature oak spice and rich sherry fruit slowly fade, mildly drying.

Comment: I just love these old mature sherried drams and this is a classic example of just that. The sherried fruit, oak and spice are all big contributors, keeping each other in check and not letting the other overwhelm, complimenting and balancing each other. This is a flavour profile which only comes with time in the wood, a long time. The first fill sherry oak cask has certainly made this whisky.

G & M have released a few of these Strathisla 1967 vintages over the years and this expression bottled in 2015 is up there with the best of them. I tell you what, if you have the funds and are looking for a very rare sherried dram (this is not far off 50 year old), there isn't much better, older and enjoyable than this around, not at this price. A stunning very mature big sherried dram which is worth seeking out.

SMW Score 93/100

You can find the full current Gordon & MacPhail Rare Vintage whisky range available from specialist Whisky retailers such as The Whisky Exchange

To demonstrate Gordon & MacPhail's philosophy of ‘The Wood Makes the Whisky’ I have reviewed a number of single malt whiskies from Gordon & MacPhail's whisky Collections: Connoisseurs Choice, The MacPhail’s Collection and Rare Vintage, which demonstrate their philosophy of "The Wood Makes The Whisky".

Recently added Gordon & MacPhail "The Wood Makes The Whisky" reviews:

• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice BenRiach 1997
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Tomatin 1997
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Tormore 1997
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Ledaig 1999
   
• The MacPhail's Collection Bunnahabhain 2006

Previous Gordon & MacPhail "The Wood Makes The Whisky" reviews:

• Gordon & MacPhail Rare Vintage Smith's Glenlivet 1974
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Speymalt Macallan 2006
   
• The MacPhail's Collection Glenrothes 8 Years Old
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Speyburn 1991
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Distillery Labels Ardmore 1996
   
• The MacPhail's Collection Bunnahabhain 8 Years Old
   
• Gordon & MacPhail Rare Vintage Glen Grant 1954

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