Macallan distillery

Introduction to Macallan

A distillery with passion for craftsmanship

Macallan is a Scottish distillery that stands as one of the most prestigious names in the whisky world, combining traditional craftsmanship with luxurious sophistication. Located in the Speyside region of Scotland, the distillery has built an unparalleled reputation for delivering single malt whiskies of exceptional quality – created with reverence for ingredients, technique, and terroir.

With its distinctive copper-bottomed curiously small stills and commitment to exceptional oak casks, Macallan produces spirits that are treasured by collectors and connoisseurs alike.

Why we have a soft spot for Macallan

At Vault of Spirits, we appreciate distilleries that create something truly exceptional – both in flavor and identity. Macallan distinguishes itself through its extraordinary commitment to sherry-seasoned oak casks, many specially commissioned from Spain, creating whiskies with remarkable depth and character.

Their unwavering dedication to quality over quantity and their role as pioneers in luxury single malt makes them a cornerstone of any serious whisky collection.

The history behind Macallan

Origin and development

Macallan was founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, a barley farmer and school teacher, in the heart of Speyside. It began as a farm distillery operating under license on the Easter Elchies estate overlooking the river Spey.

Through the centuries, Macallan has evolved from a small-scale operation to one of Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries. Their commitment to quality over quantity earned them the title “the Rolls-Royce of single malts,” and by the late 20th century, they had firmly established themselves as pioneers in the luxury whisky category.

In 2018, Macallan opened a new £140 million subterranean distillery, an architectural marvel that both honors tradition and embraces innovation.

The people behind

The distillery is currently owned by the Edrington Group, which continues to uphold Macallan’s legacy of excellence. Their master whisky maker, Kirsteen Campbell, was appointed in 2019 as the first woman to oversee Macallan’s prestigious whisky creation, bringing fresh perspective while maintaining the distillery’s distinctive character.

The team at Macallan shares an unwavering commitment to quality, with experts involved at every stage – from barley selection to cask management – ensuring that each bottling meets their exacting standards.

The craft and production

From raw material to finished product

Macallan takes exceptional care in selecting their ingredients, beginning with locally sourced barley, including their own exclusive Minstrel variety. Their water comes from springs beneath the estate, filtered naturally through limestone.

The distillation process at Macallan is distinctive, utilizing unusually small copper pot stills – among the smallest in Speyside. These curiously small stills create a spirit with concentrated flavors by maximizing copper contact, which is a crucial part of Macallan’s characteristic richness.

Unlike many Scotch producers, Macallan primarily uses only the finest 16% of the spirit run, the “new make,” discarding a higher proportion to ensure only the very best makes it into their casks.

Maturation and aging

Macallan’s exceptional reputation rests heavily on their wood policy – perhaps the most rigorous in the whisky industry. They invest more per cask than any other distillery, primarily using sherry-seasoned oak from Spain.

Their mastery of wood management involves a dedicated team that oversees the entire journey – from forest selection in Spain and America to the crafting of casks and seasoning with sherry for up to two years before they ever hold Macallan whisky.

This meticulous approach to maturation creates the signature Macallan profile: rich dried fruits, spice, and a natural deep amber color that has become their hallmark.

Selected products from Macallan

Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Old – An introduction to the house style

This expression is an excellent entry point for understanding Macallan’s DNA. A harmonious marriage of American and European oak sherry-seasoned casks creates a perfect balance of flavors.

Notes of honey, citrus, ginger, and dried fruits come together with a creamy mouthfeel, making it accessible to newcomers while still satisfying experienced enthusiasts with its complexity.

Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Year Old – An experience for connoisseurs

A more complex expression that showcases Macallan’s mastery of sherry cask maturation. Aged exclusively in sherry-seasoned European oak from Jerez, Spain, this is a profound whisky experience.

Expect a rich symphony of dried fruits, ginger, chocolate, and orange, with a velvety texture and lingering spiced finish – a bottle for those who truly wish to experience the pinnacle of sherry-cask maturation.

Visit the distillery

Tours and tastings

Macallan offers an extraordinary visitor experience at their architectural marvel of a distillery. Their guided tours take you through the entire whisky-making process in a stunning facility that seems to emerge from the Scottish landscape itself.

Tastings typically include carefully selected expressions that provide insight into their range, from core offerings to rare releases. The visitor experience also includes their “Six Pillars” tour, which delves into the fundamental elements that create Macallan’s distinctive character.

Frequently asked questions

What is Macallan?

Macallan is a premium single malt Scotch whisky distillery that produces spirits with a focus on exceptional quality, sherry-cask maturation, and natural color. Their approach combines reverence for traditional methods with innovative techniques to create some of the world’s most sought-after whiskies.

Where is Macallan located?

The distillery is located in Craigellachie, in Scotland’s Speyside region, set on the Easter Elchies Estate overlooking the river Spey. This picturesque setting contributes to both the character of the whisky and the story each bottle tells.

What characterizes Macallan?

Macallan is especially known for its exceptional sherry cask maturation, natural color, and rich, complex flavor profile. Their “curiously small stills” create a spirit with concentrated character, while their industry-leading wood management program ensures each cask imparts optimal flavor.

Their whiskies typically display notes of dried fruits, spice, chocolate, and orange, with remarkable depth and complexity.

Where can I buy whisky from Macallan?

You can find selected bottles from Macallan at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate the best expressions – from their core range to limited releases – ensuring you have access to something truly special from this iconic distillery.