Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 1989 Mortlach 31-Year-Old wins International Whisky Competition

The International Whisky Competition Committee announced that Gordon & MacPhail, one of the world’s leading independent whisky bottlers, has won Whisky of the Year at this year’s competition. The Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice 31 Year Old from Mortlach Distillery, which was distilled in 1989, has been awarded the prestigious title of ‘Whisky of the Year’ at the 2023 International Whisky Competition, which was held this year in Bardstown, Kentucky.

New make spirit from Mortlach Distillery was filled into cask 4303 a refill sherry hogshead in 1989 and selected for bottling by Stuart Urquhart, Operations Director at Gordon & MacPhail 31 years later. This exquisite whisky, matured in hand-selected casks and finished in a refill Sherry Hogshead exhibits the true essence of the Mortlach character, and the savoir-faire of the Gordon & MacPhail’s expertise, offering a complex array of rich fruit, chocolate, and subtle spice flavours that culminate in a stunningly long and warming finish.

“We are incredibly proud to see our Connoisseurs Choice Mortlach 1989 (31 Year Old) recognised as the Whisky of the Year,” said Richard Urquhart, Head of Sales (Americas) at Gordon & MacPhail. “This accolade is a testament not only to the exceptional quality of the Mortlach spirit but also to our expert team in selecting the ideal cask and maturing it for just the right amount of time. Every bottle we produce is the result of a careful process followed since 1895, embracing innovative methods to push boundaries in whisky maturation.”

“We warmly congratulate the entire team at Gordon & MacPhail for creating such a complex, rich, and perfectly balanced whisky” said Sébastien Gavillet, Head of Tasting Panel.

Gordon MacPhail will receive the Golden Barrel Trophy for winning the Whisky of the Year during a ceremony to be held this fall in Elgin, Scotland.

For the full official results click here: www.whiskycompetition.com/2023-results