Few independent bottling labels command the same reverence among collectors as Gordon & MacPhail’s The Dram Takers. Instantly recognisable thanks to its distinctive Book of Kells-inspired artwork, the label has become synonymous with extraordinary maturity, exceptional cask selection, and some of the rarest Scotch whiskies ever released.
While today’s The Dram Takers bottlings represent the pinnacle of Gordon & MacPhail’s ageing expertise, the story of the series stretches back more than four decades. From obscure collector favourites to modern ultra-premium releases, The Dram Takers remains one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of independent Scotch whisky bottling.
The Origins of The Dram Takers
First appearing during the 1980s, The Dram Takers was conceived as one of Gordon & MacPhail’s most prestigious bottling series. The striking label artwork, inspired by the ninth-century Book of Kells manuscript, depicts two figures sharing a dram – a symbol befitting of whisky’s enduring role in friendship, celebration and storytelling.
Unlike the company’s more widely distributed ranges, The Dram Takers bottlings were often produced as single-cask releases, retailer exclusives or market-specific selections. Many found homes in specialist whisky markets such as Japan, France, and Germany, making them exceptionally difficult to source elsewhere.
As the years passed and bottles disappeared into private collections, the label developed an almost mythical reputation. Collectors quickly realised that many The Dram Takers releases offered access to mature stocks from distilleries that rarely, if ever, bottled whisky of similar age under their own brands.
Historic Dram Takers Bottlings
Over the years, a number of remarkable whiskies have appeared under The Dram Takers guise and related Book of Kells-inspired labels, we delve into a few here.
Mortlach 1936 50 Year Old
A true pre-war rarity, this remarkable Mortlach was distilled on 17 October 1936 and bottled exactly fifty years later on 17 October 1986. Representing a snapshot of Speyside whisky production before the Second World War, it remains one of the most historic releases associated with the label.
The Whisky Vault Price: Net £10,000 ($13,430.06, ₹12,85,499)
MacPhail’s 1938 50 Year Old
Distilled at an undisclosed Speyside distillery on 30 May 1938, this extraordinary whisky spent five decades maturing before being bottled in a stunning crystal decanter to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The identity of the distillery remains a mystery, adding further intrigue for collectors.
The Whisky Vault Price: Net £5,000 ($6,715.03, ₹6,42,749)
Old Elgin 1940 40 Year Old
Distilled during one of the most turbulent periods in modern history, this undisclosed Highland malt matured for forty years before being bottled by Gordon & MacPhail under the historic Old Elgin label. Bottled during the early 1980s, it represents a fascinating piece of whisky history.
The Whisky Vault Price: Net £2,500 ($3,357.52, ₹3,21,375)
Pride of Strathspey 1946 41 Year Old
Bottled beneath another of Gordon & MacPhail’s legendary labels, Pride of Strathspey featured the same Book of Kells-inspired artwork that would later become synonymous with The Dram Takers. Distilled in 1946 and bottled more than four decades later, it remains a highly collectible release.
The Whisky Vault Price: Net £2,500 ($3,357.52, ₹3,21,375)
Glen Grant 1948 50 Year Old Decanter
This exceptional Glen Grant was distilled on 11 June 1948 and matured for half a century. After spending twenty years at the distillery, the whisky completed its maturation in Gordon & MacPhail’s warehouses in Elgin before being bottled from cask #2147 in a stunning presentation decanter.
The Whisky Vault Price: Net £3,750 ($5,036.27, ₹4,82,062)
Strathisla 1960 49 Year Old
Bottled exclusively for The Whisky Fair in Limburg, this richly sherried Strathisla spent almost fifty years maturing in first-fill sherry butts before being bottled at a natural cask strength of 53.2% ABV. Awarded an impressive 92 points by Whiskyfun, it remains one of the most celebrated modern-era releases carrying the Book of Kells design.
The Whisky Vault Price: Net £2,916.67 ($3,917.11, ₹3,74,938)
Clynelish 1972 36 Year Old
Released exclusively for La Maison du Whisky, this remarkable Clynelish was distilled on 14 November 1972 and bottled in June 2009 from refill sherry hogshead #14301. Bottled at a robust 59.4% ABV, it earned widespread acclaim and a 92-point score from Whiskyfun.
The Whisky Vault Price: Net £3,750 ($5,036.27, ₹4,82,062)
The Revival of The Dram Takers
Following decades of cult status among collectors, Gordon & MacPhail officially revived The Dram Takers in the early 2020s.
Drawing once again upon the iconic Book of Kells artwork, the revived range showcases some of the oldest and rarest casks maturing in the company’s warehouses. These releases highlight Gordon & MacPhail’s unparalleled ability to nurture spirit over many decades while maintaining remarkable balance and character.
Among the standout modern releases are:
Glen Grant 1978 43 Year Old
- Distilled: 1978
- Cask: Refill American Hogshead
- ABV: 42.9%
A beautifully mature Glen Grant displaying elegant orchard fruits, honeyed sweetness, and the refined character for which the distillery is renowned.
Linkwood 1966 56 Year Old
- Distilled: 1966
- Cask: First-Fill Sherry Hogshead
- ABV: 54.1%
A richly sherried masterpiece showcasing Linkwood’s exceptional ability to mature gracefully over many decades.
Mortlach 1965 59 Year Old
- Distilled: 1965
- Cask: Refill American Hogshead
- ABV: 44.1%
One of the oldest Mortlach bottlings ever released by Gordon & MacPhail and a remarkable demonstration of long-term maturation.
Benriach 1966 55 Year Old
- Distilled: 1966
- Cask: First-Fill American Hogshead
- ABV: 51.2%
An increasingly rare glimpse into the character of Benriach spirit distilled before the modern era of the distillery.
Glen Grant 1952 72 Year Old
- Distilled: 1952
- Cask: Refill Sherry Hogshead
- ABV: 40.4%
Among the oldest commercial single malts ever bottled and a landmark release within the modern Dram Takers range.
The Dram Takers Collection Volumes 1 & 2
In 2025, Gordon & MacPhail elevated the series even further with the launch of The Dram Takers Collection Volume 1.
Limited to just 100 presentation sets worldwide, the collection contained six extraordinary single malts representing a combined 331 years of maturation:
- 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
The success of the inaugural collection was quickly followed by Volume 2, again limited to just 100 sets worldwide.
The second collection featured:
- 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 lavish packaging inspired by the original Book of Kells artwork, both collections serve as a showcase for the depth and quality of Gordon & MacPhail’s maturing inventory, as well as a celebration of the company’s long-standing commitment to cask stewardship.
Final Thoughts
The Dram Takers occupies a unique position within the Gordon & MacPhail portfolio. While ranges such as Connoisseurs Choice and Distillery Labels offer enthusiasts access to a broad spectrum of distilleries and styles, The Dram Takers sits firmly at the pinnacle of rarity and maturity.
What began as a niche collector’s label in the 1980s has evolved into one of the most prestigious names in independent bottling. Whether examining the legendary releases of the past or the record-breaking bottlings of today, The Dram Takers remains a testament to Gordon & MacPhail’s unrivalled ability to preserve and showcase Scotland’s finest mature single malts.
Read the full article at Gordon & MacPhail’s The Dram Takers: The Return of a Whisky Icon
