THE MACALLAN

If there existed a Mount Rushmore of Scotch whiskies, then without question The Macallan would be etched proudly upon it. Founded in 1844 on a plateau above the river Spey by barley farmer and school teacher Alexander Reid, The Macallan was one of the first whisky distilleries legally licensed to operate in Scotland. In the nearly two hundred years since then, they have established a reputation for luxury, rarity and above all, quality. From William Tell-like scenes in Bond films featuring a glass of fifty-year-old Macallan to world record-setting prices at auction (a whopping £848,000 for a bottle from 1926), the legend of The Macallan has only seemed to be accelerating in recent years.

Distillation of The Macallan is done through a number of relatively small stills, the idea being to maximise contact of the spirit with copper to produce a rich and full bodied flavour. From the stills, these characters are further enhanced by one of the most selective cuts of new make spirits in the industry. The next step for almost all of this spirit is barrelling in ex-sherry casks. For The Macallan this is perhaps the most important step of all, and their barrels are made to exact specification and selection from American and European oak. The final result is a fruit forward, full, spicy and incredibly rich expression that more than demonstrates exactly why The Macallan whiskies have won such acclaim.