Glenlivet – 1978/2021 Private Collection #9044402 (70cl, 54.3%)

This Glenlivet was distilled on 30 August 1978 and spent all 43 years of its maturation in a single refill sherry hogshead, cask 9044402. Gordon & MacPhail bottled it on 9 December 2021 for the Private Collection, and the cask gave 310 bottles. The Private Collection brings together long-aged single malts chosen by members of the Urquhart family. This one is bottled at a natural cask strength of 54.3%, non-chill-filtered and without added colour. The bottle has pronounced vertical ridges and comes in a wooden box. The nose combines cooked raisins, orange peel and a trace of beeswax polish, then baked apple spice, vanilla pod and soft nutmeg. On the palate cinnamon comes first, then marmalade, roasted almonds, roasted coffee beans, sour cherries and hazelnuts. The long finish ends on sultanas and sweet sherry notes.