The Macallan Celebrates Its Bicentennial with “Tales of The Macallan Volume II
The Macallan is synonymous with unparalleled quality, craftsmanship, and a steadfast commitment to whisky making. This year, as The Macallan commemorates two centuries of excellence, enthusiasts like myself are buzzing with excitement to hear of the new releases that promise to mark this bicentennial celebration. Their 200th birthday is also an opportunity to reflect on the brand’s contributions to the whisky world, and to toast all that they have achieved so far. I have been looking forward to seeing what 2024 brings, and haven’t had to wait long. The Macallan has embarked on its 200th anniversary celebrations by introducing “Tales of The Macallan Volume II,” a continuation of its series of rare single malt whiskies. This release pays tribute to Alexander Reid, who established the distillery in 1824 on the Easter Elchies Estate in Speyside. His insistence on using small stills to enhance flavour and character laid the groundwork for The Macallan’s production principles. These principles, including the continued use of small stills, remain central to The Macallan’s identity today.Created by The Macallan’s Lead Whisky Maker, Euan Kennedy, the 1949 vintage, bottled in 2022, was chosen for reaching the peak of its maturation, and is said to epitomise what The Macallan’s can achieve, in a year that marks a significant milestone for the distillery.Bottled in a bespoke Lalique crystal decanter, the whisky is presented within an intricately designed almanac. This book, a creation merging the talents of traditional London bookbinders Shepherds, Sangorski & Sutcliffe, and Zaehnsdorf, with the artistic prowess of British illustrator Andrew Davidson, houses the decanter in its 800 pages. Davidson, celebrated for his wood engraving technique, brings to life the saga of Alexander Reid with his wonderful illustrations, while Paris’s Imprimerie du Marais ensures each page is a work of art in its own right.Euan Kennedy stated “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 launch of “Tales of The Macallan Volume II” is accompanied by an innovative zoetrope-style animation that animates Davidson’s illustrations, underscored by a piece from Scottish composer Craig Armstrong. This animation, alongside Armstrong’s music, delves into the theme of legacy and the influence of Scotland’s landscape on creativity.With only 344 decanters available, priced at £77,391 / $89,000 / €89,000, this limited edition is a collector’s dream. It will be available at The Macallan Estate, The Macallan Boutiques, and select premium retailers. The Macallan
