Macallan releases world’s oldest whisky – The Spirits Business

Speyside distillery The Macallan has unveiled two new whiskies as part of its Time: Space Collection, including the world’s oldest single malt.

In a continuation of its ‘200 Years Young’ celebrations, The Macallan has unveiled the Time: Space Collection – two new releases that pay homage to the brand’s interpretation of time travel through whisky mastery.

Each release is presented in bespoke vessels created through ‘cutting edge’ engineering and ancient craftsmanship.

The first release, called Time: Space, is a dual chamber vessel that includes the oldest whisky released by The Macallan at 84-years-old, which is housed in the outer chamber.

Representing the past, this expression has been aged in two casks: a first fill American oak butt and a second fill European oak butt – both seasoned with Sherry in Jerez de la Frontera, and matured in Speyside, Scotland.

Bottled at 43.6% ABV, the 84 year maturation has produced a rich natural colour, and brings ‘exceptional depth’ as well as richness and full, long-lasting flavour unique to this rare, aged single malt Scotch whisky.

Notes of charred pineapple and baked peaches leading to crystalised ginger, hints of aniseed, blackberry jam and sweet woodsmoke can be picked up, alongside rich resinous notes that linger on the palate alongside caramelised sugar, before giving way to hints of dark chocolate and toasted oak on the finish.

In the central chamber is a second single malt that marks the first from the Macallan’s new distillery – a vintage from 2018.

The five-year-old liquid has notes of golden sultanas and baked apples on the palate, which develop into buttery pastry dusted in icing sugar. Hints of lemon and lime follow, alongside vanilla shortbread. It offers a medium finish, which is both creamy and sweet with oak.

The vessel housing the liquid is displayed in an oak sculpture that the brand said has been purposefully designed to ‘accentuate the 100% natural colour of the whisky’.

Alternate layers of American oak and European oak were selected to craft the display sculpture, as a homage to the brand’s commitment to Sherry seasoned oak casks.

With only 200 in existence, one for each year of The Macallan’s History, this dual expression is said to capture the essence of time travel.

The Macallan’s master whisky maker, Kirsteen Campbell, , commented: “It was an absolute privilege to be able to reach back in time and select stock from the 1940’s to honour and celebrate our 200 year anniversary.

“As a whisky mastery team, our roles are unique in the sense that we get to time travel – selecting whisky from the past crafted by our predecessors, whilst simultaneously laying down casks for future generations of whisky makers and consumers. To nose, taste and select whisky created over eight decades ago is an exceptionally rare occasion in the life of a whisky maker and one which I will treasure.

“For the 2018 vintage, the prospect of selecting a younger cask created a lot of excitement in the sample room – it is an opportunity to give others an insight into The Macallan’s future. This marked the first year of production in our new distillery, which is truly a significant moment to be cherished.  Through a fusion of art and science we have ensured the continuity of the character of our whisky.”

The Macallan’s Time: Space is available to purchase only by invitation from The Macallan, with price available upon application.

Time: Space Mastery

The second release, called Time: Space Mastery, is a unique single malt that is said to boast layers of complexity that embraces 200 years of the brand’s history.

The expression features whiskies aged in 14 cask types, which in turn has created layers of complexity with depths of aroma, texture and flavour.

Euan Kennedy, lead whisky maker for Time: Space Mastery, said: “Inspired by past masters, we have explored the full extent of our warehouses to capture the complex influences of cask seasoning, oak origin, cask size and distillery character in one incredibly special bottle of whisky – with the elegance provided by European oak sitting at its heart.”

With whisky drawn from the breadth of The Macallan’s extensive inventory, the expression includes distinct influences from European oak Sherry seasoned casks, American oak Sherry seasoned casks, American oak Bourbon casks, and the distillery’s finest refill casks.

Together, the expressions create layers of complexity and a depth in aroma, flavour and texture. On the nose, the whisky presents Medjool dates, sweet baked figs and rich milk chocolate accompanied by ‘delicate’ hints of honey and tropical character, while Sherry-soaked dried fruits, orange marmalade and honeycomb can be detected on the palate.

The whisky is housed in a crafted circular vessel representing the circle of life and the ongoing journey from the past to the future.

In contrast to the subtlety of the exterior, the presentation case ‘bursts to life’ with a vibrant red colour – synonymous with The Macallan – and 200 spikes, for the brand’s bicentennial year.

This is said to represent how nature guards what is most precious and fragile.

The intricate details are created using techniques stemming from the art of origami.

Jaume Ferras, creative director at The Macallan, said: “The introduction of Time: Space Collection is an incredible way to pay respect to our 200th anniversary by celebrating the significance of those who have come before us, yet it is also a symbol of anticipation of what is to come, as we build upon our heritage and look to times ahead.”

Time: Space Mastery will be available to purchase from The Macallan, subject to availability and location, as well as via The Macallan Society Ballot in the UK and Europe.

The release of Time: Space Collection is accompanied by a global marketing campaign, leading with two hero films that take audiences on a journey through a spiky world where time flows and nature protects what is most precious.

The films follow two distinct stories, with both highlighting The Macallan’s connection to nature through different characters, animals and plants.

The campaign will be unveiled on 8 October in high-impact 3D outdoor billboards across the US, including at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as in Piccadilly Circus in London, UK, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and will be supported by an integrated digital and print campaign.

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