THE Macallan has introduced Home Collection – The Distillery, the first edition in a new annual release series inspired by the extraordinary natural beauty of The Macallan Estate.
A fine collection of exceptional single malt whiskies, the series will celebrate The Macallan’s origins, which have been deeply rooted in community since the brand was founded almost 200 years ago.
Located on the banks of the legendary River Spey, the 485-acre Macallan Estate has been farmed since 1543. In 1700, The Macallan pioneer Captain John Grant transformed the land into a community with the construction of Easter Elchies House, with schoolteacher Alexander Reid establishing the Distillery in 1824.
The Macallan Home Collection – The Distillery, the first release in the new series, has been created to showcase The Macallan’s remarkable Distillery. The award-winning building, designed by globally acclaimed architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, incorporates a unique undulating roof covered in grass and wildflowers to reflect the surrounding scenic hills.
Crafted from a combination of specially selected European and American oak casks and refill casks, this very special whisky also pays tribute to The Macallan’s time-honoured traditions and community spirit, both of which continue to be cherished and nurtured at The Macallan Distillery and around the world.
The bottle is presented in a unique pack featuring an elegant watercolour painting depicting the Distillery by local artist Colin Rizza, who is also a long-standing Distillery worker at The Macallan. Colin’s family have strong ties to The Macallan, having worked there for over three decades, and both he and his son still work at the Distillery to this day.
Displaying a deep gold colour, The Macallan Home Collection – The Distillery features a delicate, complex nose, sweet spice and mellowing palate before delivering a rich, medium finish that aims to convey the warm welcome offered to all at The Macallan Estate on Speyside.
Polly Logan, Whisky Maker at The Macallan, said: “Being part of the 200-year history and heritage of whisky-making at The Macallan Distillery is a truly unique experience. Every day we have the privilege of working in the most remarkable location, knowing that we still use the same time-honoured skills and traditions employed by generations of our predecessors, and at the same time building on their legacy for the future.”
“The Macallan Home Collection – The Distillery describes sensorially the passion and pride we feel in our wonderful spiritual home. A gentle floral note gives a subtle nod to the beautiful landscape that forms The Macallan Estate, while the rich finish reflects the warm welcome that awaits here in the heart of Speyside.”
Artist and long-standing The Macallan Distillery worker, Colin Rizza, said: “Our family is one of many that has long been intertwined with The Macallan. We feel a deep sense of belonging to The Macallan Estate and it’s an honour to have my artwork featured on the packaging of the first edition in the Home Collection.”
Colin, who acquired his first set of oil paints when he was just eight years old, has had a lifelong interest in art and regularly produces watercolour landscapes, oil portraits and coloured ink caricatures. His talent has long been admired by The Macallan community and over the years he has been commissioned to design various artworks, including caricatures of The Macallan partners, the Roca brothers of El Celler de Can Roca.
For his latest collaboration with The Macallan, Colin spent many hours studying the Distillery and its beautiful surroundings, taking dozens of photographs then distilling it down to its simplest form and exploring it through the medium of watercolour. He drew a series of sketches, before creating the final watercolour for the first release of Home Collection.
He added: “Working at The Macallan is a dream come true. No matter the time of year, it’s a magical place with scenic surroundings and amazing wildlife and the Distillery building itself is a work of art. All the people are terrific, it’s like a family with special bonds and something that I’ll really miss when I retire, but it’s wonderful to know that when I do, my own son will be continuing our legacy there.”
With an RRSP of US$250 / GBP200 / €230, The Macallan Home Collection – The Distillery will be available exclusively from The Macallan Estate Boutique, The Macallan Boutiques in Global Travel Retail, Domestic and E-Boutiques from August 2022. For further information visit www.themacallan.com
