THE MACALLAN – SINGLE MALT ROYALTY
The Macallan is clearly regarded as one of the most trusted and long enduring distillers in the world. The company was originally founded in 1824, with The Macallan being one of the first distillers in Scotland having legal license for manufacturing and selling alcohol. Since then, the distillery has grown to be one of the largest single malt whiskey manufacturers in the world.
The Macallan distillery was founded by Alexander Reid, a barley farmer and a teacher. The name Macallan is derived from Gaelic word ‘magh’, which means ‘a fertile land’, and ‘Ellan’ that honors St.Fillan’, a monk who spread Christianity in Scotland during the 18thcentury. As farmers during that time grew barley on a large scale throughout Scotland, it was a natural progression that other products would be derived from the grain. By 1868 the distillery was sold to James Stuart, who ran it for the next 20 some years.
During the subsequent years, the Macallan distillery passed through different owners. Though stable and thriving, Roderick Kemp took over the distillery in 1892 and he and his ancestors remained in control until 1996, when the Highland Distillers Group took over the ownership. For a time, it was called Elchies distillery, named after a nearby estate, which had adopted the company until 1980. Then in 1999, the Edrington Group, who currently owns the distillery became the latest company taking the reigns.
In 2008, The Macallan Distillery increased its production capacity by installing a second production house and a few new warehouses. Today, The Macallan is one of the top five best-selling single-malt whiskeys in the world. With recent counts placing them in second place.
The distillery produces a number of expressions in its core Sherry Oak series, the most generally available being the 12-year-old, although the 18-year-old is widely distributed, alongside a 10-year old cask strength expression at 58% ABV. Extremely expensive 25 and 30-year-old versions can also be found. With the 25-year old fetching prices at around $1,700 US and the 30-year old chiming in at $3,500 US. Definitely not a pour for your non discerning guests who want to try something “expensive” from your scotch collection at the annual Christmas party.
More recently, starting in 2004, The Macallan for the first time started to offer single malt expressions vatted with whisky matured in used casks other than ex–sherry casks as part of the Fine Oak range. These are available in a number of age ranges. The Macallan also markets special scotches in duty free shops at airports and other exclusive outlets.
These, as well as other rare, special releases and other small production run bottlings have become a trademark of not only The Macallan, but of the entire spirits industry. Many of these come as part of a series and can be found with varying difficulty and prices. The 1824 collection was created for the duty free stores and consisted of 4 releases. The relatively inexpensive Gold, plus the Amber, Sienna and then Ruby. The hue of the color pallet and price increased with each whisky. For the past few years a numbered edition has appeared (#4 is pictured to the right) regularly. These have very diverse aroma and flavor pallets and could almost be considered experimental in nature. You may have a tough time finding the earlier ones but #5 can be found fairly easily and can be purchased for around $125. These series are routinely one time affairs, so if you see something you like, grab it before it’s gone. The Macallan most recently has released The Quest Collection, it appears this collection has replaced the 1824 series in duty free shops. There is also a “black” edition of Rare Cask and other rarities available only at airports.
In addition to these “special” bottlings, a trend towards multiple casking editions has appeared. Originally releasing just a single Double Cask edition, there are now 2 Double Casks versions (Gold and 12 Year Old) and 3 triple cask offerings (12, 15 and 18 Year Old). The 12 Year Old Double Cask has incredible depth and is reasonably priced. For those of you with wallets that are a bit thicker than mine, look into the Master Decanter Series and the Fine and Rare Collections. You can easily spend upwards of $20,000 US per bottle for many of these, so you better make sure all the kid’s have made their way through college before you spring for one of these puppies.
The Macallan has distinguished itself as one of the premier single malt scotch distillers for nearly 200 years. Whether you’re spending $50 or $25,000, you will always be able to settle back and enjoy one of Scotland’s finest exports. So raise a dram and toast an old friend. Slante!