Mr George Urquhart

George was born in Elgin on the 16th October 1919. Educated in Elgin, he left school in 1933 aged 14 and joined his father in the family firm of Gordon & MacPhail. He also spent some time working at Woodlands Farm, Elgin, farmed by his mother's family.

George worked in all departments of Gordon & MacPhail - as a young man, dressed in a uniformed apron; he would clean the beautiful marble behind the counter and unload the carts in the narrow courtyard at South Street, Elgin. At this time, George also learned about the different whiskies and when they were ready for bottling.

In the 1940's and 1950's George and his father developed strong friendships and trading relationships with local distillers. George served with the Seaforth Highlanders during the war but his service was cut short due to illness. While recuperating in hospital, he met and fell in love with Peggy who became his wife. During this period, George helped his mother run the family farm as well as working at Gordon & MacPhail.

George became senior partner of Gordon & MacPhail upon his father's death in 1956. By then the firm was selling its malt whiskies throughout the UK and to a growing export market.

Gordon & MacPhail had a grocery business in Elgin, both wholesale and retail but the Whisky business flourished during George's leadership. The Company became the world's leading malt whisky specialist. 'Mr. George', as he was affectionately known, travelled the UK and throughout the world, promoting his firm's whiskies. Lasting friendships were made in many countries.

One of his ambitions was to own a distillery and this wish was fulfilled when Benromach Distillery was opened by Prince Charles in October 1998.

George retired from full time work in 1995 having completed 62 years service with Gordon & MacPhail. He continued as Chairman till 2000 when he became Company President. His children Rosemary, Ian, David and Michael, the third generation of the Urquhart family, now run Gordon & MacPhail.

In 1999 his long and valued service to the whisky industry was recognised when George Urquhart was made a "Keeper of the Quaich".

George was an innovator, maturing whiskies for longer than others did. He would carefully select various casks for maturation and bottle a very wide range of single malts. He was also well known for producing bottlings to commemorate special events.

His valuable work will continue with the third and fourth generation of the Urquhart family continuing in these extraordinary endeavours bottling single malts.

Michael Jackson - noted Whisky Writer and winner of 5 Glenfiddich Journalist Awards stated - 2nd October 2001:

'Single Malts are increasingly respected and enjoyed throughout the world. They are bringing new excitement to the universe of Scotch Whisky, which earns more revenue world-wide than any other spirit. I believe that Single Malt Whisky would simply not be available today were it not for the work of George Urquhart. When others knew nothing of malt whisky, he was one of a handful of people who understood this great Scottish contribution to the pleasures of food and drink. He had the judgement and foresight to acquire and lay down casks, and was thought eccentric for doing so. As I began to understand malt whisky, it seemed unbelievable to me that Scotland had almost 100 distilleries that in almost every instance kept their products secret. Only five or six offered their product in the bottle. Without two or three small independent bottlers most of Scotland's Malt Whiskies would never have been tasted in unblended form.

To malt-lovers, "bottled by Gordon & MacPhail" is a phrase that rings around the world. The little shop in Elgin, and the extraordinary warehouses that few people see, are treasures.

We all thank George Urquhart and his family for, in quiet diligence, maintaining this extraordinary enterprise'.