Jeanne Gang Designs the Decanter for the World’s Oldest Bottled Single Malt Scotch Whisky

On February 3, 1940, Speyside, Scotland’s The Glenlivet Distillery filled cask 336—which acclaimed independent bottler and distiller Gordon & MacPhail acquired and carefully observed as it matured for decades. The amber liquid within has since been bottled as an 85-year-old release, and recognized as the world’s oldest single malt Scotch whisky. The exceptionally rare spirit, appropriately named Gordon & MacPhail 85 Years Old from Glenlivet Distillery, is limited to 125 sculptural bottles—designed by Surface cover star Jeanne Gang—worldwide.

Reminiscent of a twisting tree, Gang’s decanter—produced by Glasgow-based John Galvin Design—is an ode to the influence of wood upon whisky. Further, the architect selected bronze as the branch material for its ability to patina, drawing a parallel with the way whisky can deepen in color over time. “While I was interested in the contrast of the materials, I also wanted a certain reciprocity between the bronze armature and the glass vessel,” Gang says. “The entwined branches depend on each other to support the vessel, which is suspended and footed by the armature. They work together to stand as one.”

The single malt Scotch whisky developed leathery aromas through its maturation process, as well as tart cherry and lush citrus flavors, woven with lingering notes of vanilla and subtle smoke. “The knowledge around when to finally bottle is born of four generations of expertise and experimentation, using different casks with spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries,” Stephen Rankin, Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige, tells Surface. “Over 130 years, this knowledge has been passed down, and the responsibility now sits with my cousin, Stuart Urquhart, Operations Director. We share a great grandfather, John Urquhart, who originally laid down cask 336 in February 1940. At the time, given the nature of the cask and the spirit, he might have imagined a long period of maturation, but possibly not have thought it would go on to become the oldest single malt Scotch whisky in the world.”

Two members of the Surface editorial team had an opportunity to taste the scarce single malt Scotch at Christie’s New York. While Gordon & MacPhail 85 Years Old from Glenlivet Distillery is now available worldwide (for £125,000), decanter number one will be auctioned by Christie’s online—opening for bids on November 7 and concluding on November 21. Proceeds of the lot (minus costs) will be donated to American Forests. “I have a deep love for trees, forests, and the living ecosystems they support,” Gang says. “The first thing I ever drew with passion was an oak tree, so my interest in all things arboreal has been lifelong. I’m proud this project is supporting American Forests and their work to restore our forests and sustain them as renewable resources and habitat.”