STATUS SPIRITS

“This beautiful level of whiskies play a hugely important role, because what they’re doing is bringing depth to the category, as well as intrigue and desirability. At this top level what you’re playing with is rarity and uniqueness,” posits Gordon & MacPhail’s Stephen Rankin from his home in Elgin, Scotland. “In the same way as limited edition Ferraris or Bugattis — why does one need to exist? You can’t drive it on the open road, it goes too fast. But like a car, the difference with this whisky, as opposed to coins or whatever other stock investment, is it is something you can experience, you can drink it.” As Director of Prestige at the esteemed family-owned whisky label, it is literally Rankin’s job to guide the growth and release of their treasured casks. Founded in 1895 as an elevated shop for luxury goods, Gordon & MacPhail soon started buying whisky from nearby distilleries, casking it themselves in ex-sherry and bourbon American