INTERNATIONAL. The Macallan has unveiled a new series of rare single malt Scotch whiskies called ‘The Red Collection’. The collection pays homage to the significance of the colour red to The Macallan’s history and heritage. It features a curated selection of ongoing aged expressions and high-aged guest releases.
A limited number of the releases will be available in travel retail, at Dubai International (Le Clos), London Heathrow (Dufry) and Taoyuan International (Ever Rich Duty Free).
Some of the product highlights of The Red Collection include The Macallan 40yo, The Macallan 50yo and The Macallan 60yo, which are the oldest ongoing expressions offered by the whisky house.
Each of the permanent releases have been hand-finished and signed by The Macallan Master Whisky Maker 2019 Kirsteen Campbell. Campbell is the first woman to be appointed Master Whisky Maker throughout The Macallan’s 200-year history.
Each expression in The Red Collection comes in an oak presentation box made with sustainable European oak. The boxes are upholstered with sustainably-sourced red leather from Bridge of Weir Leather, a Scottish supplier which produces leather upholstery for luxury car brands.
The Red Collection is completed by rare, high-aged guest releases such as The Macallan 71yo, The Macallan 74yo and The Macallan 78yo. These single malts are some of the world’s oldest Scotch whiskies, with The 74yo and the 78yo being the oldest bottlings ever released by The Macallan. The Macallan Lead Whisky Maker Sarah Burgess signed the initial guest releases.
The trio of ongoing guest releases are housed in a bespoke handcrafted case created by Scottish artisan furniture and objet d’art manufacturer Method Design Studio. The studio supplies some of the world’s top luxury brands and only a very small number of cases are available in travel retail.
“The Macallan Red Collection is a true landmark release for The Macallan – exactly the kind of exclusive and highly sought-after series for which our boutiques are the perfect showcase,” commented Edrington Global Travel Retail Regional Managing Director Jeremy Speirs.
“We’ve worked closely with our partners at these locations to ensure that the amazing story of The Red Collection is brought to life both in-store and online, allowing whisky connoisseurs and collectors around the world access to these incredible bottlings.”
Kirsteen Campbell said, “Created from some of the world’s oldest and rarest casks, it is an incredible privilege to have crafted The Red Collection. It’s thanks to the foresight of previous custodians of The Macallan, who laid down and aged these extraordinary casks, that we have been able to curate such a remarkable selection of whiskies.
“Each precious drop offers a unique opportunity to explore The Macallan’s whisky making legacy,” Campbell added. “The incredible elegance and rich flavours of the expressions that form The Red Collection are a direct result of the craftsmanship, knowledge and skills nurtured by our master whisky makers, past and present.”
The colour red boasts a special meaning for The Macallan, beginning with its founder, Alexander Reid in 1824. ‘Reid’ translates to ‘the red one’ in Scottish and was also associated with red hair. In 1903, The Macallan owner Roderick Kemp released The Macallan Old Range which was shipped in red printed cases to distinguish it from other releases.
In 1980, red was also the colour of choice to showcase The Macallan’s oldest vintages from 1938, 1940 and 1950. The Macallan Chairman Allan Shiach also tied a red ribbon around the vintages to underline their ages and rarity.
The Red Collection is supported by a striking animated film created in collaboration with Spanish painter and illustrator Javi Aznarez. It features the three notable characters in The Macallan’s history along with a spectacular array of graphic artworks. Aznarez has recently worked on films such as ‘Greta’ and upcoming Wes Anderson feature ‘The French Dispatch.’
Le Clos General Manager Ben Odgers said, “Our reputation as one of the go-to locations globally for The Macallan has been built on our ability to offer our customers unrivalled access to rare and exclusive bottlings combined with standout retail experiences and customer service. We’re delighted to offer our customers access to a release as limited and sought-after as The Red Collection and look forward to building on this excitement as the collection grows with future releases.”
Dufry Global Category Head Liquor David de Miguel said, “In such a challenging time for travel retail it’s more important than ever before to bring innovation, excitement and exclusivity to our offer at Heathrow Airport. The Macallan Boutique at Terminal 5 has played host to a number of rare and exclusive bottlings, and The Red Collection builds on this legacy in stunning fashion.”
“Storytelling has underpinned our partnership with The Macallan and lies at the heart of this rich new collection,” said a spokesperson for Ever Rich Duty Free. “Major launches from iconic brands like The Macallan are a key factor in our ability to deliver fresh and engaging experiences to our customers and bring a sense of excitement not only to The Macallan Boutique but also our wider retail offer.”
The Red Collection will have an RRSP as follows:
The Macallan 40 Years Old – US$15,000 / £11,300
The Macallan 50 Years Old – US$50,000 / £37,500
The Macallan 60 Years Old – US$65,000 / £49,000
The Macallan 71 Years Old – US$78,000 / £58,500
The Macallan 74 Years Old – US$82,000 / £61,500
The Macallan 78 Years Old – US$87,000 / £65,500
