MacPhail’s 1959/1960 (Gordon & MacPhail)

We already had similar Mortlach 1959/1960, Glendronach 1959/1960 and Glen Grant 1959/1960, all bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. This time we try the undisclosed MacPhail’s 1959/1960. Each of these whiskies are a vatting of 1959 and 1960 casks, the birth years of both royals.

The MacPhail’s name means we don’t know the distillery. The label doesn’t even state single malt so it could be a vatting, but then again the single malt labels don’t have single malt either. I’ve read it could be Macallan, but there’s also a Pride of Strathspey bottling in this series, and that’s usually a name for Macallan too. Seems strange to have two.

MacPhail’s 1959 & 1960 (40%, Gordon & MacPhail 1986, Royal marriage of Prince Andrew & Sarah)

Nose: old cellars, with some cigar leaves, walnuts and spearmint. Hints of orange liqueur. Raisins. Heavier notes of figs and dates underneath. Dusty libraries. Light café latte and beeswax. Great old style, rather smooth but very attractive.

Mouth: same old style. Toffee, liquorice, some mentholated notes. Tobacco and toasted bread. Raisins and cinnamon. Fading on soft (sweet) herbal notes, say a few drops of Fernet Branca.

Finish: not too long, on old wood, raisins and lots of dark chocolate notes. No dryness though.

Always a treat to try 1950’s-1960’s distillation. Not the most spectacular example, nor the best release in this series, but very, very enjoyable. Not often seen in auctions, the miniatures seem to pop up more often though.

Score: 90/100