Gordon & MacPhail has announced the launch of the first whiskies from its new limited-edition Anniversary Releases collection, each named for its year of distillation and designed to mark the milestones that matter most.

Comprising a 1966 from Longmorn Distillery (46% ABV), a 1976 from Glen Grant Distillery (42% ABV), a 1986 from Miltonduff Distillery (46.9% ABV) and a 1996 from Linkwood Distillery (50.4% ABV), each release in the rare single-cask collection has been hand-selected by the team at the family-owned independent bottler and bottled at cask strength.

At the heart of the collection is the 1966 from Longmorn Distillery, with only 30 bottles available. This whisky was distilled in February 1966 and matured in a first-fill Sherry butt. It is said to deliver flavours of dark fruits and warming spice, with a long finish leading to mulled fruits and charred oak.

The 1976 from Glen Grant Distillery was matured in a refill American hogshead. With only 50 bottles released, drinkers can expect beautifully smooth tropical fruit flavours alongside baked apple.

The collection also includes the 1986 from Miltonduff Distillery, which was matured in a refill American hogshead. It delivers notes of sweet golden syrup, butterscotch and toasted almonds, with zesty citrus on the palate and a finish of mixed nuts and pineapple.

Finally, with 100 bottles available, the 1996 from Linkwood Distillery is said to be smooth and vibrant, with rich orange marmalade and warm spice. It was matured in a refill Sherry butt.

Commenting on the launch, Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige at Gordon & MacPhail, said: “Beginnings, birthdays, milestones and turning points are the moments that define a life. Each of these never-to-be-repeated single malt Scotch whiskies captures a moment in time. And if your own celebration doesn’t fall on one of the vintage years we’ve selected, rest assured that these rare and exceptional whiskies will elevate any occasion and help make it truly memorable. They are the perfect whiskies to enjoy with friends and elevate a moment that really matters.”

The Gordon & MacPhail Anniversary Releases collection, 1966 from Longmorn Distillery, 1976 from Glen Grant Distillery, 1986 from Miltonduff Distillery and 1996 from Linkwood Distillery, will be available later this month from selected specialist retailers, for the respective RRPs of £6,966, £3,976, £1,486 and £496.