Tales of The Macallan Volume I, the first edition in a series of single malts which tells the story of The Macallan pioneers and their whisky-making legacy, has debuted in travel retail at The Macallan Boutiques and selected shop-in-shops.
Limited to 350 decanters worldwide, this first edition has a recommended retail sale price of US$80,000 / £60,000 / €65,000.
Tales of The Macallan Volume I, The Laird of Easter Elchies (1659-1715) is an homage to Captain John Grant, who in 1700 realised the potential of Easter Elchies Estate, the site of The Macallan Distillery since 1824.
Tales of The Macallan Volume I was crafted to honour Grant’s legacy. Distilled in 1950 and bottled in 2021, the brand owner called it “a distinctive and rare expression with exceptional flavour and character”.
Encased in a handcrafted Lalique crystal decanter, the single malt is concealed within a specially designed almanac book. Each chapter tells the story of John Grant and features illustrations by Andrew Davidson. The Macallan collaborated with the illustrator, renowned for his traditional print techniques using wood engravings, to create a collection of hand-crafted illustrations depicting Captain John Grant’s story.
The Macallan also combined the skills of master craftsmen in crystal, leather and paper to create the bespoke packaging. Long-standing partner Lalique fashioned the crystal decanter etched with one of Davidson’s illustrations.
London bookbinders Shepherds, Sangorski & Sutcliffe and Zaehnsdorf created the book, handcrafted using luxurious leather and 24ct gold leaf, to conceal the decanter within its pages, while artisan printer Imprimerie du Marais in Paris printed each individual page.
An animation featuring some of Davidson’s illustrations and set to an original piece of music composed by Nicola Benedetti has been created to bring to life the story of John Grant.
Edrington Global Travel Retail Regional Managing Director Jeremy Speirs commented: “Bringing to life The Macallan’s rich heritage is a key pillar of our storytelling in global travel retail. The Tales of The Macallan series adds a new dimension to this, shining a light on some of the extraordinary individuals who have shaped the brand. Combining incredible liquid with beautiful packaging, the first bottling in this series will act as a real draw for global whisky connoisseurs visiting select locations in global travel retail.”
Background
Born in 1659 on the banks of the River Spey, John Grant had a military career in his youth, became a captain and fought in the war. The Grants had owned the land since 1543, but it was on his return from war, that he transformed the wild landscape he had inherited into the ‘garden of Elchies’, the birthplace of The Macallan.
As a farmer he worked the land to create the conditions for growing barley and his labours helped to sustain a small farming community that would one day use its crops to distill whisky. In 1700, he extended and refurbished Easter Elchies House which is now The Macallan’s ‘Spiritual Home’.
Whisky Maker’s Notes
Colour: Golden aiguillette
ABV: 44.6%
Nose: Grapefruit zest, antique oak, vanilla, melon, wood smoke, nutmeg, ripe plum and almond.
Palate: Peach and apple, wood spice with ginger and hints of clove, sweet wood smoke and Yuzu.
Finish: A medium finish with citrus and sweet oak.
