G&M Connoisseurs Choice Heritage Collection Vol.1 - 5 x 0.7l -

Volume: 3.5 litres | Alcohol content: 50.36% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

This collection, limited to 100 wooden presentation cases, brings together five distinct single malts. By reviving the historic Map Label, Gordon & MacPhail recalls the Connoisseurs Choice range launched by George Urquhart in 1968. Its purpose was to introduce whisky enthusiasts to distilleries whose spirits were rarely available as single malts.

The selection spans Speyside, the Highlands, Islay and the Lowlands, covering two decades of distillation history. It includes Dallas Dhu 1971 aged 50 years from a Refill American Hogshead, Benromach 1976 aged 48 years from a First-Fill Sherry Hogshead, Glenlochy 1979 aged 43 years from a Refill American Hogshead, Port Ellen 1980 aged 45 years from a Refill American Hogshead and Rosebank 1991 aged 34 years from a First-Fill Bourbon Barrel. Each of the five bottles contains 0.7 litres, giving a total of 3.5 litres.

Each whisky has its own bottling strength: Dallas Dhu 43.7%, Benromach 43.8%, Glenlochy 53.6%, Port Ellen 57.6% and Rosebank 53.1%. Across the five equally sized bottles, the volume-weighted average is 50.36%. This calculated figure for the set is not the bottling strength of any individual bottle.

Gordon & MacPhail matured the five spirits in its own casks over several decades. The selection also preserves whisky history: production at Dallas Dhu and Glenlochy ceased in 1983. Port Ellen contributes pronounced maritime minerality and delicate smoke. Rosebank, by contrast, reveals a fresh, fruity and herbal Lowland character with citrus, stone fruit and mint.

Benromach and Glenlochy further broaden the sensory range. Benromach combines vanilla fudge and cinnamon with honey, wax, ginger, pepper and cocoa. Glenlochy brings together waxy fruit notes, citrus and biscuit malt with ginger woven into a creamy texture, chocolate, lime and exotic fruit; anise and menthol shape its finish. Tasting the five whiskies individually offers a direct comparison.

Dallas Dhu adds lemon and orange peel alongside red apple, before vanilla and brown sugar emerge. On the palate, it combines poached pear with pepper and herbs, while toasted almond lingers in the finish.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Dallas Dhu reveals waxy paper, subtle mossy notes and apricot jam, accompanied by yellow plum and honey. Marzipan and walnut add to the aroma, with celeriac, lemon peel, dried cardamom and a hint of dusty book covers in the background. Port Ellen reveals graphite, mineral notes, garden herbs and toasted oak. Behind these lie baked fruit, waxy apple peel and delicate smoke.
• Palate: Dallas Dhu has a distinctly oily, almost buttery texture. Peppery, menthol-like warmth meets nutmeg, followed by herbal tea, hay and poached pear, together with brighter orange and apple notes. Tobacco leaf and dried sage emerge towards the end. Port Ellen is powerful and maritime, with brine, grapefruit, lemon, seaweed and pepper. Green olives, leafy notes and a moderate phenolic character complement the flavours.
• Finish: Dallas Dhu’s rather short finish brings the wood further forward. Honey, almond and warming spice remain present without the finish becoming dry. Port Ellen has a long finish that brings together herbs, delicate smoke and maritime power.

Distillery/Bottler:

The spirits come from Dallas Dhu, Benromach, Glenlochy, Port Ellen and Rosebank. As an independent bottler and maturation specialist, Gordon & MacPhail selected the casks, oversaw the whiskies’ maturation over several decades and brought the five bottlings together as Heritage Collection Vol. 1.

Since 1895, maturation expertise at Gordon & MacPhail has passed through four generations of the family. The company matches its own bespoke casks to the spirits and has worked with more than 100 Scottish distilleries in doing so. The Heritage Collection reflects this connection between distillery character and cask selection. Its Map Label recalls the design used for the Connoisseurs Choice range between 1988 and 1996.

Facts: