ONE OF THE OLDEST single malt whiskies in the world was used to toast the success of a flagship Moray shop that has stood firm in Elgin for 120 years.
Specially invited guests called in at the Gordon and MacPhail whisky shop in Elgin’s South Street at the weekend to toast the anniversary of the shop that has founded in 1895.
They were treated to tastings of local beers and flavoured vodkas paired with local salmon and chocolate – as well as raising a glass of Glenlivet 70-year-old, the joint oldest single malt Scotch whisky in the world.
The shop has been operated by the Urquhart family through four generations – one of whom is company director Stephen Rankin, who said: “We are still here after 120 years – the company has grown and expanded but the shop at South Street remains the spiritual home of Gordon and MacPhail.
“We were keen for our customers and suppliers to join in the celebrations.”
The Elgin firm has become a leader in the world of malt whisky with the Urquhart family interest in the company beginning when John Urquhart joined as an apprentice in its early years. After building the whisky connections at the company, John Urquhart eventually became the firm’s senior partner and then owner.
At the shop on Saturday members of the family led guests on a specially conducted ‘spiritual tour’ of the history of the shop and a special tasting of whiskies paired with chocolate.