Gordon and Macphail’s Centenary 100 Distilleries Limited Edition
70cl / 40%
£299.00
- Malt type: Blended
- Region: Scotland
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A commemorative 1995 ceramic decanter blending whiskies from 100 Scottish distilleries, released to mark the centenary of Gordon & MacPhail.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Bottled by Gordon & MacPhail (Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland) – independent bottler specialising in Scotch whiskies. |
| Category | Blended Scotch Whisky (commemorative decanter). |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | Released in 1995 to mark 100 years (1895-1995); age statement not stated (blend of matured whiskies from many distilleries, some reportedly over 50 years old). |
| ABV & Size(s) | 40% ABV; 700 ml size typical for the ceramic decanter. |
| Cask / Treatment | Not stated in detail; blend draws from many casks of differing maturation periods across distilleries. |
| Natural Colour | Not stated. |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not stated. |
| Cask Strength | No – standard 40% ABV. |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Not publicly delineated in sources; decanter weight cited 1.335 kg (for one example) but bottle count unspecified. |
| Intended channel | Limited collector edition – retail and auction-oriented. |
| Packaging | Blue ceramic decanter, wooden presentation box, cushioned with tartan cloth (Clan Urquhart) in some versions. |
| Notes on discrepancies | Some listing details (e.g., bottle number) vary; age statement absent means provenance is based on branding rather than specific age. |
Historical Context
In 1895 the firm of Gordon & MacPhail was established in Elgin, Scotland. To commemorate their centenary in 1995, the company released this “Centenary 100 Distilleries Limited Edition” bottling. The concept: blend from whiskies drawn from 100 different Scottish distilleries (some reportedly aged over 50 years) into a single limited-edition decanter. The packaging emphasises heritage – a blue ceramic bottle in a presentation box with Clan Urquhart tartan (the owning family). This release appeals both as liquid and as an object of design and collecting, marking the company’s milestone and drawing on Scotland’s distilling breadth.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
2.1 Documented variants
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Gordon & MacPhail Centenary 100 Distilleries Limited Edition – ceramic decanter, 700 ml, 40% ABV, release year 1995.
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No significant alternate versions (e.g., varying ABV or size) were documented in sources reviewed; variations may exist but are not reliably documented.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | 700 ml | Global specialist whisky market | 1995 centenary edition; ceramic decanter; blend of 100 distilleries | High for collector value due to packaging and concept; liquid itself less quantified |
| 40% | 700 ml (box only variant) | Auction/secondary market | Same release but missing box or decanter condition weaker | Lower relative desirability due to condition dependency |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Bottle: distinctive blue ceramic decanter, weight ~1.335 kg (for one documented bottle) – verifying weight and ceramic finish is a helpful authenticity check.
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Presentation box: wooden box with cushioned interior and Clan Urquhart tartan lining; presence of original box enhances value.
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Label: Should state “Centenary 100 Distilleries — Limited Edition” or equivalent; bottler Gordon & MacPhail, Elgin.
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Closure: Original decanter stopper (ceramic or cork) should be intact; check for signs of resealing, leakage or damage.
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Condition: As ceramic decanter, chips/cracks significantly reduce value; verify fill level, stain lines, no seepage.
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Red flags: Missing box, replaced stopper, damage to ceramic bottle, label mis-printing, fill level below shoulder.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes
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As a blended Scotch whisky, matured for unspecified period but likely long-aged, it qualifies under Scotch regulations.
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Without age statement, it is designated as NAS (no age statement) but may contain older whisky; buyer has less clarity on liquid composition.
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No natural-colour or non-chill-filtered disclaimers; assume standard practice for era.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
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Nose: Not formally documented in full detail by the producer; as a blend of many distilleries, tasting notes vary widely. One user review identifies “diverse mature aromas” though not specified in detail.
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Palate: Also not widely documented; quality of individual casks and blend complexity likely moderates the strength of flavour impressions.
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Finish: Not documented.
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With water: Not documented.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
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Original RRP (GBP): Not stated by producer.
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Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Specialist listings show mid-hundreds of pounds for near-mint boxed decanter; e.g., auction records show bottle number #259 sold.
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Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): One lot (bottle #483) being offered in auction – sale details vary; notable for collector interest rather than wide liquid supply.
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Pricing stratification: Condition of decanter, box and provenance drive price more than detailed liquid specification; presence of original box and pristine ceramic decanter increases desirability. Age statement absence means value is largely driven by packaging and collector appeal.
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Liquidity & sourcing note: This is niche within collector-whisky market; fewer dealers focus on full-packaging ceramic decanters. Turnover slower than many popular single malts; clear condition evidence aids sale.
Price Snapshot
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auction | Undated | 700 ml ceramic decanter, 40% | Not publicly specified | Example bottle number #483 listed for auction |
| Retail | Undated | 700 ml ceramic decanter + box | Mid-£300s to £700+ | Depends on condition and completeness |
| Auction | Undated | 700 ml ceramic decanter, no box | Lower end of secondary market | Missing box reduces value significantly |
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Gordon & MacPhail, founded in 1895 in Elgin, Morayshire, is one of Scotland’s oldest independent whisky makers, initially a wine and spirits merchant that evolved into a major bottler and independent blender. Their centenary edition honours 100 years of bottling (though they bottled earlier than 1895) and gathers whiskies from 100 distilleries into a single conceptual release. While not a single-malt release, the bottle’s ceramic decanter, limited edition packaging and multi-distillery blend give it collectability beyond its liquid alone.
Sourcing
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Target formats/eras to prefer: Mint condition ceramic decanter from 1995, complete with original box and inner packaging (tartan lining), sealed stopper, and full fill.
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Red flags to avoid: Cracked or chipped ceramic bottle, missing or incorrect stopper, missing box, low fill, signs of leakage or tampering.
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Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Full fill to shoulder or higher, intact ceramic with no chips, original box in excellent condition, clean label and stopper.
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Margin/velocity expectations — qualitative: Margins can be good for near-mint examples sold to collectors, but turnover is slower; due to the niche nature, pricing must reflect condition and the market’s willingness.
