Explore the different textures and colors of The Macallan’s latest highland single malt collection, which pays tribute to the iconic Scottish whisky house’s commitment to Natural Color and Sherry-Seasoned oak casks.
The story of The Macallan Colour Collection begins in Jerez de La Frontera, Spain. The white soil of the vineyards, the sun on the grapes, all these natural forces interacting to create the sherry, the whisky. The result is a beautiful spectrum of colors,” said Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker, The Macallan.
Founded in 1824, The Macallan celebrates 200 years next year. Alex Robertson, Head of Advocacy, The Macallan, tells me during the Singapore launch, “It’s really the pinnacle of single malt scotch whisky and as guardians of The Macallan legacy and its rich heritage, we have a part to play in the continuation of that legacy. There is a quiet humility, quiet confidence, and elegance that comes with that history of crafting without compromise.”
The Collection is brought to life through a series of innovative works by American Artist and Graphic Designer, David Carson; and the exquisite Collection marks the return of age-statement whiskies to The Macallan’s global travel retail offering, a precious range for The Macallan’s discerning consumers globally.
Each of the five distinctive whiskies (12, 15, 18, 21, and 30 Years Old) take travellers through a sensory time travel journey of the remarkable spectrum of the Natural Colours derived from maturation in The Macallan’s Sherry-Seasoned oak casks, two of the Six Pillars of The Macallan legacy. "It is these exceptional oak casks which are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, natural colors, and distinctive flavors and aromas at the heart of our highland single malts. Deepening in color with age, each expression tells its own story and is a prism through which consumers can explore the unique characteristics which underpin the exceptional craftsmanship, renowned quality and rich character of our single malt whisky,” says Campbell.
Expect a beautiful deepening of color with each of the five age expressions, ranging from the light gold-pale oak of the 12 Years Old to the deep mahogany-burnished chestnut of the 30 Years Old.
Crafted to The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team’s exacting specifications, the special sherry seasoned oak casks are matured for five years before being shipped to Scotland to be filled with The Macallan’s signature rich and fruity new make spirit. “Natural color is the key to The Macallan.100 percent of the color and up to 80 percent of the final aromas and flavors in every single bottle of our whisky comes from the sherry seasoned casks in which it matures. And that’s essentially what makes the Collection unique, versus double cask or sherry oak, as well as the sheer power of predominant maturation. Because of this, we spend more per cask than any other distillery in sourcing, crafting, seasoning and caring for its casks,” Robertson tells me.
The Collection features a new visual identity inspired by The Macallan Estate, the brand’s rich heritage and spiritual home, highlighting its topography and intrinsic connection to nature, as Carson redesigns The Macallan logo with curves incorporated into the flow of the brand’s lettering. Repeat the curves infinitely and you come up with the loop sequence on the packaging of the bottles. Each of Carson’s 14 art pieces and designs are also inspired by the colors, shapes, and textures of Jerez, paying tribute to the region’s pale landscapes, textures, and warm, natural hues (be it the colors of the earth, the soil, or the white ash-like ground of the vineyards).
The packaging of the 12 Years Old (S$109) and 15 Years Old (S$224) expressions reflect the strikingly pale terroir of Jerez; the 18 Years Old (S$475) is inspired by the vibrant warmth of Jerez’s evening sun and tones of the whisky’s light auburn hue; while the unique wooden boxes for the 21 Years Old (S$1,485) and 30 Years Old (S$6,000) are produced using oak from sustainable forests.
The Macallan Colour Collection is available at Lotte Duty Free stores in Singapore Changi Airport, The Macallan’s first-in-Southeast Asia interactive outpost at Changi Airport.