Among the many iconic labels released by Gordon & MacPhail over the past century, few possess the mystique and visual appeal of The Dram Takers. Long regarded as one of the independent bottler’s most collectible and elusive series, the label has become synonymous with exceptional cask selections, extraordinary age statements, and some of the rarest single malts ever bottled.
In the last few years, Gordon & MacPhail has revived The Dram Takers as a luxury collection showcasing some of the oldest and most remarkable whiskies in its vast warehouses. Yet the story of the label stretches back far further, to a period when independent bottlers were beginning to establish distinct identities in the global whisky market.
Origins of The Dram Takers
The Dram Takers label emerged during the 1980s as one of Gordon & MacPhail’s premium bottling series. The range was instantly recognisable thanks to its distinctive artwork, inspired by the famous ninth-century Book of Kellsmanuscript. The label depicts two figures raising a dram in celebration, symbolising friendship, ritual, and the shared enjoyment of whisky.
Unlike Gordon & MacPhail’s more widely distributed ranges, The Dram Takers bottlings were often released as single casks, private selections, or market-specific exclusives. Many were destined for specialist importers in Japan, France, and Germany, making them particularly difficult to find outside those markets. Over time the series developed a cult following among collectors, especially as many bottlings featured long-aged stocks from distilleries that rarely released mature whisky under their own labels.
As the original releases disappeared into collections, The Dram Takers name became one of the most sought-after labels in the Gordon & MacPhail back catalogue.
The Historic Dram Takers Notable Bottlings
Mortlach 1936 50yo
This pre-second world war beauty was distilled at the Mortlach distillery on the 17th October 1936 and bottled exactly 50 years later, on the 17th October 1986, by Gordon & MacPhail.
The Whisky Vault Price: 10,000 (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
MacPhail’s 1938 50yo
This monumental 50 year old MacPhail's single malt was distilled at a secret Speyside distillery on the 30th May 1938.
After maturing in selected oak casks at the unnamed distillery, and more recently at the bottler's warehouse in Elgin, the whisky was drawn from the cask on its 50th Anniversary, Monday 30th May 1988, and bottled by Gordon and MacPhail in this beautiful crystal decanter.
The Whisky Vault Price: 5,000 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Old Elgin 1940 40yo
This undisclosed Highland distillation was distilled in 1940, matured for 40 long years and then bottled by independent bottler's Gordon & MacPhail under their Old Elgin label in the early 1980's.
The Whisky Vault Price: 2,500 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Pride of Strathspey 1946 41yo
This outstanding single malt was distilled way back in 1946 and bottled 41 years later in the late 1980's.
Bottled under the secret Gordon & MacPhail label, Pride of Strathspey, the label illustration is adopted from the distinguished Latin gospel "The Book of Kells".
The Whisky Vault Price: 2,500 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Glen Grant 1948 50yo Decanter
This super rare 50 year old Speyside single malt was laid down at the Glen Grant distillery on the 11th June 1948, spending its first 20 years maturing at the distillery before being moved to Gordon & MacPhail warehouses in Elgin to complete the maturation process over the next 30 years.
Drawn from oak cask number 2147, this gorgeous decanter was bottled by Gordon & MacPhail before the turn of the 21st century
The Whisky Vault Price: 3,750 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Strathisla 1960 49yo
This sumptuous 49 year old Speyside single malt was laid to rest at the Strathisla distillery in 1960 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail for The Whisky Fair, Limburg.
Depicting the Latin gospel the Book of Kells on the label and supplied in mint condition with a fill level into the neck, this well sherried malt was bottled at a natural strength 53.2% ABV in 2010.
Drawn from first fill Sherry butts, after just shy of 50 years maturation, this limited release was awarded a smashing 92 points from the WhiskyFun experts.
The Whisky Vault Price: 2,916.67 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Clynelish 1972 36yo
This sensational Highland single malt was laid down at the Clynelish distillery on the 14th November 1972 and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail exclusively for La Maison du Whisky on the 26th June 2009.
Drawn from refill sherry hogshead number 14301 at a natural strength 59.4% ABV, this ultra rare 36 year old malt adorns a label illustration adapted from the Latin gospel, The Book of Kells. Romped home with a massive 92 points on the WhiskyFun review site.
The Whisky Vault Price: 3,750 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
The Revival of The Dram Takers
In the early 2020s Gordon & MacPhail revived the label, once again drawing inspiration from the Book of Kellsartwork. Each whisky was matured in Gordon & MacPhail-owned casks and selected from some of the oldest stocks in the company’s warehouses. We take a look at some of those releases here: -
Glen Grant 1978 43yo The Dram Takers
- Distilled: 1978
- Age: 43 Years Old
- Cask: Refill American Hogshead
- ABV: 42.9%
A mature expression highlighting Glen Grant’s classic orchard fruit and elegant Speyside profile.
Linkwood 1966 56yo The Dram Takers
- Distilled: 1966
- Age: 56 Years Old
- Cask: First-Fill Sherry Hogshead
- ABV: 54.1%
A richly sherried Linkwood demonstrating the distillery’s remarkable ageing potential.
Mortlach 1965 59yo The Dram Takers
- Distilled: 1965
- Age: 59 Years Old
- Cask: Refill American Hogshead
- ABV: 44.1%
One of the oldest Mortlach’s ever released by G&M.
Benriach 1966 55yo The Dram Takers
- Distilled: 1966
- Age: 55 Years Old
- Cask: First-Fill American Hogshead
- ABV: 51.2%
A rare opportunity to experience pre-modern Benriach spirit matured for over half a century.
Glen Grant 1952 72yo The Dram Takers
- Distilled: 1952
- Age: 72 Years Old
- Cask: Refill Sherry Hogshead
- ABV: 40.4%
Among the oldest commercial single malts ever released by Gordon & MacPhail and one of the most significant whiskies in the modern Dram Takers series.
The Dram Takers Collection Volume 1 & 2
In 2025 Gordon & MacPhail unveiled The Dram Takers Collection Volume 1, a presentation set containing six ultra-aged single malts. Limited to just 100 collections worldwide, it represented 331 years of cumulative maturation.
The collection comprised:
- Glenlivet 1954 – 68 Years Old
- Longmorn 1966 – 55 Years Old
- Linkwood 1967 – 54 Years Old
- Glenrothes 1969 – 52 Years Old
- Mortlach 1969 – 50 Years Old
- Strathisla 1971 – 52 Years Old
Quickly following this would be The Dram Takers Collection 2, consisting of just 100 presentations again, and with the following bottles:
- Glen Grant 1948 – 74 Years Old
- Glenlivet 1949 – 74 Years Old
- Glenburgie 1963 – 60 Years Old
- Longmorn 1966 – 55 Years Old
- Teaninich 1977 – 45 Years Old
- Speyburn 1977 – 44 Years Old
Presented in bespoke packaging inspired by the Book of Kells artwork, the two sets served as both a celebration of Gordon & MacPhail’s cask inventory and a statement of intent for the future of The Dram Takers brand.
Final Thoughts
The Dram Takers occupies a unique place within the Gordon & MacPhail portfolio. Unlike Connoisseurs Choice or Distillery Labels, which offer broader accessibility, The Dram Takers focuses almost exclusively on exceptional rarity and extreme age. It represents the pinnacle of what the company’s warehouses can produce after decades of patient cask management.
The revival of the label has also reconnected modern whisky enthusiasts with an important chapter of Gordon & MacPhail history. What began as a relatively obscure premium series in the 1980s has evolved into a showcase for some of the oldest and most remarkable single malts ever bottled!