Packaging, presenting and launching the rarest and most exclusive whisky in the world demanded a creative execution that would embody implicit luxury, exquisite craftsmanship and more than a little theatre in a decidedly modern interpretation of traditional whisky packaging.
Mortlach 75 Years Old is the newest release from the Generations range by Gordon & MacPhail. Described by Charlie MacLean as: “Smooth and highly sophisticated – elegant as a grande dame – the Ingrid Bergman of malts” and originally filled to cask by John Urquhart in 1939, this rare and exclusive whisky has been nurtured and cared for by no less than four generations of the Urquhart family whose custodianship of Gordon & MacPhail dates back to 1896. And, after 75 years in darkness, the family was clear that this incredible single malt – which they believe to be the oldest in the world – should be displayed, shared and enjoyed by a new generation, not hidden away in a box to gather dust. This ‘spirit of sharing’ was the big idea that informed our creative strategy.
Our starting point was the elegant teardrop shaped hand-blown crystal decanter that is the iconic feature of the Generations range. For Mortlach Aged 75 Years by Gordon & MacPhail, we introduced 75 ribbon-like channels, hand-cut into the crystal, with each of the 100 decanters also uniquely numbered and sealed with an etched silver band. Marrying traditional craftsmanship with cutting edge technology, we commissioned a seductively tactile plinth, featuring 75 gently undulating ripples across its cool white surface (a subtle nod to Speyside’s soft water), to hold and display the decanter and two hand-cut crystal glasses – the final shape and contours of those glasses reached through rapid prototyping, using 5 axis CNC routing.
To promote the notion of a whisky that’s meant to be displayed, shared and enjoyed, we nestled the decanter, plinth and glasses – as well as both a silver and a crystal stopper – into a luxurious Aniline leather travel bag, rather than the more traditional presentation box. And for each of the elements we worked with highly skilled craftspeople in Scotland, using only the finest natural materials to fully reflect the exceptional quality of the spirit.
Mortlach 75 Years Old is the newest release from the Generations range by Gordon & MacPhail. Described by Charlie MacLean as: “Smooth and highly sophisticated – elegant as a grande dame – the Ingrid Bergman of malts” and originally filled to cask by John Urquhart in 1939, this rare and exclusive whisky has been nurtured and cared for by no less than four generations of the Urquhart family whose custodianship of Gordon & MacPhail dates back to 1896. And, after 75 years in darkness, the family was clear that this incredible single malt – which they believe to be the oldest in the world – should be displayed, shared and enjoyed by a new generation, not hidden away in a box to gather dust. This ‘spirit of sharing’ was the big idea that informed our creative strategy.
Our starting point was the elegant teardrop shaped hand-blown crystal decanter that is the iconic feature of the Generations range. For Mortlach Aged 75 Years by Gordon & MacPhail, we introduced 75 ribbon-like channels, hand-cut into the crystal, with each of the 100 decanters also uniquely numbered and sealed with an etched silver band. Marrying traditional craftsmanship with cutting edge technology, we commissioned a seductively tactile plinth, featuring 75 gently undulating ripples across its cool white surface (a subtle nod to Speyside’s soft water), to hold and display the decanter and two hand-cut crystal glasses – the final shape and contours of those glasses reached through rapid prototyping, using 5 axis CNC routing.
To promote the notion of a whisky that’s meant to be displayed, shared and enjoyed, we nestled the decanter, plinth and glasses – as well as both a silver and a crystal stopper – into a luxurious Aniline leather travel bag, rather than the more traditional presentation box. And for each of the elements we worked with highly skilled craftspeople in Scotland, using only the finest natural materials to fully reflect the exceptional quality of the spirit.
