The Macallan

THE SIX PILLARS OF The Macallan

Founded in 1824 by barley farmer and school teacher, Alexander Reid, The Macallan was one of the first distillers in Scotland to hold a legal licence. The distillery is nestled in the banks of the river Spey in Speyside, north-west Scotland, and sits amongst 485 verdant green acres with the Highland manor, Easter Elchies House at its heart. The name Macallan has evolved from the Gallic, magh, meaning fertile ground, and Ellan after the monk St. Fillan who was associated with the church that once stood on the grounds of The Macallan Estate.

The Macallan is today one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies. Its quality and distinctive character are founded on six guiding principles called The Six Pillars. These are the foundation stones of the brand’s character and rich spirit. They speak of a strong sense of place combined with almost 200 years of maturing and perfecting this exceptional single malt Scotch whisky. The pillars are the symbols of the strength of belonging and each contributes to the essence of The Macallan.

SPIRITUAL HOME

The first pillar is around place, the spiritual home of The Macallan. The house that stands at the centre of The Macallan Estate is central to the workings of the distillery. Easter Elchies House was built in 1700 from locally quarried sandstone for Captain John Grant. It is one of the finest examples of a Highland manor house, and its grounds are farmed with sensitivity and in harmony with the natural environment.

SMALL STILLS

The Macallan’s stills are amongst the smallest used in Speyside. The unique size and shape of the stills allows the spirit to have maximum contact with the copper, concentrating the newly made spirit and providing the rich, fruity, full-bodied flavour that is characteristic of The Macallan. There are 24 of these small stills in The Macallan distillery holding an initial charge of 3,900 litres.

THE FINEST CUT

The master distiller at The Macallan takes only the finest quality of spirit from its stills because he is looking for the best quality of the cut. The master distiller carefully scrutinises every drop that goes toward a bottle of The Macallan for its viscous mouth-feel, and fruity aroma and flavour. This distinctive ‘new make’ spirit fresh from the stills is the beginning of the signature style that makes The Macallan unique amongst single malts.

OAK CASKS

Maturation in cask is essential to the journey of any quality single malt and The Macallan is renowned for its exceptional oak casks. It is The Macallan’s mastery of wood and spirit that delivers quality and spice to The Macallan whiskies. Under the watchful eye and guidance of the Master of Wood, specifications unique to The Macallan craft the oak casks. They are responsible for contributing 80 per cent of the colour, aroma and flavour of the final whisky. It is for this reason The Macallan spends time and investment into the quality of its casks. Sourcing, crafting, toasting, seasoning and caring for the casks are of the highest priority. The quality of the casks determines the final character, flavour, quality and style of the whisky, and this is why the wood is the fourth pillar for The Macallan.

NATURAL COLOUR

The Macallan is proud of the diversity of whiskies it produces and the natural colour each display as a result of time in cask. All of The Macallan whiskies gain their rich and natural colour from maturation in cask alone. From the lightest oak to the darkest mahogany, The Macallan casks impart naturally unique colour that is fixed and does not fade in sunlight as does its artificial counterparts. Every tree and every wood is different and this is evident in the kaleidoscope of The Macallan range. Achieving this vibrancy and consistency of natural colour in The Macallan whiskies requires great talent, skill and experience from the master distiller. This spectrum of natural colour is central to the fifth pillar for quality.

PEERLESS SPIRIT

The final of the six pillars is the drive to create unsurpassed quality single malts through the combination of place, people, passion and the careful nurtured approach to producing The Macallan Single Malt whiskies. These peerless spirits are savoured and enjoyed by whisky lovers the world over.

VISIT THE MACALLAN DISTILLERY

The Macallan Distillery today pays homage to the old traditions while advancing toward new horizons. The brand represents tradition through the raw material, the production method and the commitment to excellence, while also embracing an innovative vision. The creation of the new distillery embodies this philosophy and marries heritage with The Macallan’s future. Designed by acclaimed architects, Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners, the new distillery shares The Macallan acreage with its Spiritual Home, Easter Elchies House. Built into the sloping hills of the estate it is more than just a distillery, it is a striking piece of contemporary architecture symbolising the birthplace of the brand and its whisky while championing a new era for The Macallan. Tours of the new Distillery, Boutique and Visitor Experiences can be booked online at themacallan.com.