Whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail unveils, what it claims might be the world's most exclusive single malt scotch whisky, in London on Wednesday. [Photo by Zhang Chunyan]

Whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail launched what it has described as "the world's most exclusive single malt Scotch whisky" in London on Wednesday.

Mortlach 75 Years Old is the latest offering in the Generations range from the family-owned Scotch whisky firm. With notes of dried apricots and pomegranate, followed by hints of spice and creamy vanilla, the latest release has a smooth and lingering smoky finish which remains long after the dram has been savoured.

Only 100 decanters of the 44.4% ABV whisky, matured in a first-fill sherry butt cask, have been released for worldwide sale. The recommended retail price is 20,000 pounds, although Gordon & MacPhail said that prices may differ in international markets due to local taxes and duty.

Gordon & MacPhail's Stephen Rankin, a fourth-generation whisky maker, said: "We've been anticipating this moment for a long time. Having been nurtured and cared for by four generations of our family it gives us great pleasure to release this unique and incredibly rare single malt.

"Our family has been immersed in the whisky industry for more than one hundred years and we've built up an expertise and knowledge, handed down from generation to generation."

As whisky is more and more popular in China, Richard Urquhart, export regional executive of Gordon & MacPhail, told China Daily, "China has been one of the top five biggest markets for us, growing fast in recent years."

Urquhart said that Chinese consumers can't buy the Mortlach 75 Years Old in China currently as the company is still discussing with local import companies. But maybe Chinese consumers will enjoy it next year, he added.

On Nov 17 1939, John Urquhart, the first generation of the family to be involved in Gordon & MacPhail, instructed the first-fill Sherry cask to be filled with new-make spirit from Speyside's Mortlach Distillery. Seventy-five years later, the cask was emptied and the precious amber liquid was carefully transferred into beautiful crystal decanters.

Generations Mortlach 75 Years Old by Gordon & MacPhail is presented in the iconic teardrop-shaped Generations decanter. Each decanter is uniquely numbered and skilfully handcrafted with 75 multi-level "cuts"; each cut representing a year of the whisky's maturation. The decanter sits on a white presentation plinth with two specially designed crystal glasses.

Gordon & MacPhail is an independent, family-owned spirit and wine merchant who have been based in Elgin, Moray, since 1895. Four generations of the Urquhart family have continued the tradition of selecting, maturing and bottling Single Malt Scotch whiskies.