Stunning Decanter Designed by Renowned Architect Revealed for World’s Oldest Whisky

Architect Jeanne Gang is pictured with the decanter she designed for Gordon & MacPhail’s 85-year-old Glenlivet, the world’s oldest whisky. (Photo: Gordon & MacPhail)

On Thursday, Gordon & MacPhail revealed the decanter design for its Glenlivet 85 Years Old, the world’s oldest single malt scotch whisky. The vessel, designed by American architect Jeanne Gang, was unveiled Thursday as part of the “Artistry in Oak” project.

The whisky itself — distilled in 1940 and bottled earlier this year — was announced in July.

We had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sample this incredibly rare expression, which boasts a suggested retail price of £125,000 ($168,700). Click here to read our review.

Gang’s design features a suspended glass decanter encased by four bronze branches that spiral upward, inspired by the slow growth of oak and the long aging of the spirit.

“It was of utmost importance that the quality of the whisky itself be manifest in the design of the decanter,” Gang said in a news release. “Made from handblown glass and cast bronze, I thought about how each material would exhibit its own inherent qualities while fulfilling its purpose to hold and protect the liquid.”

Only 125 decanters have been produced. The first will be auctioned by Christie’s between Nov. 7 and Nov. 21, with proceeds donated to American Forests, a U.S. nonprofit focused on reforestation. The lot includes Decanter No. 1, a signed sketch of an oak tree by Gang, the framed cask end from Cask 336 and a private tasting led by at least one of the Urquhart family, who have owned Gordon & MacPhail for four generations.

Stephen Rankin, the company’s director of prestige and a member of the Urquhart family, said the release reflects decades of foresight: “One of the greatest challenges was that this has never been done before. We’re the first to mature a whisky for 85 years. Every year that goes by is a year into the unknown,” Rankin said.

The Glenlivet 85 Years Old was drawn from a single sherry cask, filled in 1940 during wartime shortages. Bottled at 43.7% ABV, it’s a truly special expression; check out our tasting notes here.

Christie’s Global Head of Wine and Spirits Adam Bilbey said the auction “is not just a highlight of our season — it’s a celebration of time, tradition and craftsmanship.”