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The Macallan is an acclaimed brand of Scotch malt whiskey with distilleries located in the Speyside region. Consistently ranked among the top three best-selling single malts in the world with 2015 million liters sold in 8.
Technology features. The Macallan distillery was the first to age whiskey in Spanish oak sherry casks, which are produced by order of the company in Spain. First, the containers are filled with palomino grape juice for the first fermentation, and then with Oloroso dry sherry. The released barrels are transported to Scotland. Now their task is to convey their fruity aroma, taste and shade to the aged whiskey. The company emphasizes that the Macallan whiskey receives a rich assortment of colors exclusively from the wood of the barrels, without the use of artificial dyes.
A distinctive feature of the production is the use of three paired stills instead of two. These stills are the smallest of any Speyside distillery. Their small volume and beautifully curved “necks” ensure maximum contact of alcohols with copper, which contributes to the creation of a final product with a rich, full-bodied taste.
The manufacturer is especially proud that the cubes are depicted on the banknote of the Bank of Scotland with a face value of 10 pounds.
Brand History
Founded by Alexander Reid in 1824, the distillery was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to obtain a legal license. At first the distillery was called Elchies Distillery. Production was expanded at the end of the 1980th century and renamed Macallan-Glenlivet, and in XNUMX the prefix Glenlivet was abolished.
According to one version, the name Macallan comes from the Gaelic words – Magh, meaning “fertile plain”, and Ellan (St Fellan) is the name of an Irish monk who traveled extensively in Scotland, spreading the ideas of Christianity in the VIII century. The article “The” on the label indicates that the scotch was bottled by the distillery itself under the strict supervision of the master.
The management of the enterprise has changed more than once, but the concept of the brand, focused on creating the highest quality product, has remained unchanged. A significant contribution to the creation of the brand’s fame was made by James Stewart, who bought the land on which the distillery was located. So the company acquired its own home – Easter Elchies House, built in 1700. Success was developed by Roderick Kemp and his descendant Allan Shich, who expanded the production and land holdings of Macallan.
The brand has been owned by The Edrington Group since 1999 and Edrington’s main shareholder is The Robertson Trust, which donated more than £18,2m to charities in Scotland last year. The distillation master is Bob Dalgarno.
In 2017, it is planned to move all divisions of the corporation to a new headquarters in the center of Glasgow. Also in spring 2017, a £100 million distillery built along the River Spey will be operational. It is supposed to double Macallan’s production capacity.
Chief Executive Officer Ian Curle voiced the brand’s commitment to maintaining its leading position in premium whiskey.
Awards
In the World Whiskey Guide, created by Michael Jackson, one of the most respected connoisseurs of this drink, there are no more than 10 samples of scotch rated at 95 points, and only three that received 96 points. This list of favorites includes The Macallan – 25, 30 YO, Gran Reserva, 1874 and 1861 replicas, The Macallan 1841 and 1948.
Brand whiskey from year to year receive prizes and medals of the highest dignity at the most prestigious world exhibitions:
- 2013 – Silver medal (The Macallan Amber) at the International Wine & Spirit Competition;
- 2014 – Золотая медаль (Macallan Single Malt Scotch Whisky Speyside Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 15 Y.O.) на International Wine & Spirit Competition;
- 2014 – Whiskey Bible Gold Awards by Jim Murray (The Macallan Sienna and The Macallan Oscuro);
- 2017 – Winning Malt Whiskey of the Year and Gold Whiskey Bible Award from Jim Murray (Macallan 25 Year Old).
Interesting Facts
- Macallan products account for 9,2% of all malt whiskey sold worldwide.
- The performers of the role of James Bond changed on the screen, but, like a relay baton, they passed on to each other a passion for good whiskey. Daniel Craig in “007: Skyfall Coordinates” preferred Macallan to all other brands.
Types of whiskey Macallan
The Macallan Edition № 2, 48,2%
The second release in the Macallan Edition series is the result of a collaboration between whiskey maker Bob Dalgarno and the three Roca brothers, owners of the elite El Celler de Can Roca restaurant in Girona. The single malt whiskey is bottled from 7 hand-selected Spanish and American oak casks sourced from renowned bodegas.
Joint creativity gave the aroma a lot of interesting shades: mocha, ginger, brown sugar, dried fruits. The taste shows notes of raisins and chocolate. Lemon zest and spices are felt at the finish.
The Macallan Reflexion, 43%
A single malt whiskey worthy of the 1824 Masters premium line. Malt spirits were aged in first-fill sherry casks. Oak notes are felt in the aroma, as well as green apple, wild berries, citruses. It has a soft, harmonious and elegant taste with hints of orange, ripe apricot, ginger and cinnamon. To match the character of the drink – an exquisite crystal decanter and a gift box.
Macallan Fine Oak 12 YO, 40%
The whiskey is aged for 12 years, matured in three types of barrels: at the first stages sherry casks made of European and American oak are used, at the last stage the whiskey is poured into bourbon casks. Thanks to this, the drink gets a rich aroma with hints of nectarines, candied almonds, vanilla toffee. The taste is well balanced, with sweetness of malt, nuances of raisins and candied orange peel. Pleasant aftertaste with a warming effect.
Macallan Fine Oak 15 YO, 43%
Whiskey 15-year exposure fully reproduces the style of the Speyside region. Made from a blend of spirits matured 60% in sherry casks and 40% in bourbon casks. The aroma is bright, light, spicy, with hints of prunes, grape seed, marzipan. The palate is full and round with lots of bourbon notes. Dark chocolate, vanilla cream and oak notes are felt in the aftertaste.
The Macallan Rare Cask, 43%
The release of this tape is presented in the UK in mid-2015 after a US launch in late 2014. Consists of spirits, matured in 16 barrels, personally selected whiskey maker McCallan Bob Dalgarno. Most of the barrels are first filled, resulting in a rich, spicy Speyside malt whiskey with complex aromatics. The taste is oily with pronounced notes of Oloroso sherry and hints of winter spices and thyme honey.
The Macallan No.6, 43%
Whiskey deservedly takes a place in the premium line of 1824 Masters. Aged in sherry casks, bottled in crystal decanters from the famous Lalique company. The six facets of the decanter symbolize the six pillars of the legendary distillery’s impeccable quality. Spanish oak barrels enriched the drink with aromas of dates, raisins and figs. The taste is dominated by dark chocolate, it is harmoniously complemented by cinnamon, vanilla, ginger. Velvety-soft oak notes sound in the aftertaste.
Macallan Fine Oak 30 YO, 43%
Rare single malt whiskey aged for at least 30 years in American and European oak barrels. The master managed to endow the drink with a complex aroma, in which notes of sherry sweetness and freshness of grass are intertwined. Long years of maturation have made the taste perfect: silky, with hints of sherry, honey, grapefruit and blackcurrant. The aftertaste is soft, fruity and long.
Macallan M, 44,7%
This whiskey is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, which has become a true gem of The 1824 Series. It is not for nothing that connoisseurs of the brand call it either a diamond or a Rolls-Royce in the world of whiskey. Composing this blend, master Bob Dalgarno selected 7 of the best barrels from almost 200 thousand in the cellars of the distillery. The age of the alcohols used is from 25 to 75 years. For such a truly royal drink, it was necessary to find the appropriate packaging – McCallan’s choice fell on the Lalique crystal house. For whiskey, 1750 handmade decanters were made, each of which has an individual number. Designed by creative director Fabien Baron.
Thanks to this extremely successful collaboration, Macallan became the first brand of whiskey listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The reason was the sale of a 6-liter Macallan M Constantine decanter at Sotheby’s for a fantastic amount of $ 628, which is officially recognized as the world record for the cost of an alcoholic beverage.
The taste of whiskey is truly memorable, enveloping, containing notes of raisins. spices, dried fruits, lemon. The manufacturer recommends drinking it neat or adding a little water to bring out the flavor.
