On the nose, the whisky is soft yet voluptuous, opening with top notes of dried potpourri, honeysuckle and cranberries, before elegantly progressing into scents of cloves, dried fig and dark chocolate ganache. Flashes of mint, cold smoke, and old leather and parchment round out the liquid's bouquet of aromas.

Thanks to the ultra-long ageing process and the influence of the oak, the whisky imparts a supremely oily mouthfeel that helps to coat and moisturise the palate. Initial flavours are dominated by the orange marmalade indicative of a Glenlivet expression, bolstered by hints of marzipan, plump sultanas, dark caramel and chocolate truffles. This leads into a body of ripe peach nectarines punctuated by blackcurrant and cherries, before finishing with notes of licorice, mint, tobacco leaf, smoke, and an undercurrent of coconut oil and gorse, with just a hint of dryness.

The Generations 80-Years-Old from Glenlivet Distillery is presented in partnership with world-renowned Ghanaian-British architect Sir David Adjaye OBE, who is perhaps best-known for designing the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Sought after as ‘an architect with an artist’s sensibilities and vision’, Adjaye shares Gordon & MacPhail’s view that skill and patience are integral to producing distinctive, exceptional work that’ll last generations.

To celebrate the ground-breaking release, Adjaye has designed a decanter and case set under the theme Artistry in Oak, chosen especially to symbolise the whisky’s 80 years of maturation. A jewel-like Glencairn decanter—designed to appear as though it’s a single block of crystal—holds the precious liquid. As a tribute to oak’s role in transforming spirit into a unique expression, Adjaye has also created a pavilion-like case, handmade by the family-owned Wardour Workshops, using the same wood. The intention is to heighten anticipation and create a sense of ceremony when unveiling the rare whisky—light is refracted through the opened case, calling to mind dappled light dancing through oak trees in a forest.

For decanter number one, the successful bidder will also receive the cask end and a lithograph of the original concept drawings signed by Adjaye. What’s more, the buyer will be invited to a bespoke tasting of rare and unique whiskies for four people in London, conducted by Gordon & MacPhail’s Director of Prestige, Stephen Rankin, and attended by Adjaye.

Gordon & MacPhail’s Generations 80-Years-Old decanter and oak pavilion will go on public display in early September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of Sotheby’s Hong Kong Autumn Sales preview.