Making the Macallan: The story behind the ultimate luxury Single Malt

Many decisions, stories, and people have been part of The Macallan’s journey to making a household name for itself as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies. The brand’s deep-rooted history began with its founding in 1824 by Alexander Reid. At this time, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed.

The Macallan takes pride in its Six Pillars, the foundation for the brand’s unique character and exceptional whisky. These six pillars represent the heart and passion that went into making The Macallan what it is today.

1. Spiritual Home

Built in 1700 from locally quarried sandstone for Captain John Grant, our Spiritual Home, Easter Elchies House, is a fine example of a Highland manor house. The 485-acre Macallan Estate lies in an area of natural beauty and is farmed sensitively, in harmony with the environment.

2. Curiously Small Stills

The Macallan’s Curiously Small Stills are amongst the smallest on Speyside. Their unique size and shape give the spirit maximum contact with the copper, helping to concentrate the ‘new make’ spirit and provide the rich, fruity, full-bodied flavours characteristic of The Macallan.

3. Finest Cut

The Macallan carefully select the finest quality spirit from their stills. This finest cut ensures the signature viscous mouth-feel and fruity aroma and flavour. This small portion, or ‘cut’ is incredibly selective and one of the finest in the industry.

4. Exceptional Oak Casks

The oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, natural colours and distinctive aromas and flavours of The Macallan. These oak casks are crafted and account for up to 80% of the final aromas and flavours of The Macallan.

5. Natural Color

All color in The Macallan whiskies, bottled by the distillery, is natural. Only the interaction of the ‘new make’ spirit with the oak of the maturation casks delivers the rich and natural diversity of colour throughout the range, from light oak through to darkest mahogany. The brand does not make use of any artificial colors, which shows the great skill that is required by the Master Whiskey Maker to keep the natural color consistent in each bottle.

6. Peerless Spirit

Maintaining its peerless spirit in all that it produces, The Macallan is the result of many years of world-renowned mastery.

Throughout the years, The Macallan has overcome many challenges in which decisions had to be made. In the pursuit of integrity of the casks, it has invested more in the wood’s journey from forest to cask than any other whisky brand. The dedication to creating the finest single malt is a standard of excellence that has shaped its history, and inspires us to choose the risks worth taking.

This decision, together with countless others, is how The Macallan made the call to pursue something greater.

Explore the stories of those who have seen the risk and still made the call, who aren’t afraid to choose a bigger life.

In The Macallan Conversations, a series of videos that embody the single malt Scotch whisky’s Make the Callphilosophy, the brand features individuals who are motivated to pursue a life of excellence.

A Filipino entrepreneur and nightlife impresario joins the roster of these driven individuals very soon. Be on the lookout.