Macallan adds $89,000 whisky to pioneers range
Edrington-owned The Macallan has released Tales of The Macallan Volume II, the second edition in a series celebrating important figures in the brand’s legacy.
The release is a homage to Alexander Reid, founder of The Macallan, and intends to encapsulate his story and his standards of whisky-crafting excellence as the brand marks its 200th year. Reid established The Macallan distillery on Easter Elchies Estate in Speyside in 1824. He believed that small stills produced better flavour and character, an ethos that remains one of the brands ‘six pillars’ today. Created by the brand’s lead whisky marker, Euan Kennedy, the expression was distilled in 1949 and bottled in 2022. Euan Kennedy said: “Tales of The Macallan Volume II is a tribute to our founder Alexander Reid, whose commitment to quality and craftsmanship established the pursuit of uncompromised excellence that has continued to guide successive generations of The Macallan’s whisky makers, like myself, to this day. “Displaying beautiful tones of bronzed oak, and subtle red hues that reflect the original meaning of Alexander Reid’s surname in Scots – The Red One – this rare and unique single malt whisky possesses an incredible complexity achieved through age and patient maturation. “Enjoying a lingering smokiness redolent of whiskies of Alexander’s time, it is a fitting tribute to his living legacy as we celebrate our 200th anniversary year.” The expression comes in a bespoke, handcrafted Lalique crystal decanter and is concealed in an almanac book, created by London-based bookbinders, Shepherds, Sangorski & Sutcliffe and Zaehnsdorf, and artisan printer Imprimerie du Marai. Each chapter of the book tells Reid’s story and features illustrations from British artist Andrew Davidson. As part of the launch, The Macallan has also created a zoetrope-style animation featuring Davidson’s illustrations and music by Scottish composer Craig Armstrong. Only 344 decanters are available with an RRP of US$89,000. Tales of The Macallan Volume I was released in 2021 and was inspired by Captain John Grant.
