The Macallan has released The Reach, its oldest-ever single malt whisky, into global travel retail.
The Reach was crafted during the Second World War and laid to rest in 1940, before The Macallan had to close its doors for the first time in its history.
Only 288 decanters are available globally. It has a recommended sale price of US$125,000. In global travel retail, it is available in The Macallan boutiques in Taiwan Taoyuan, Dubai International (DXB), London Heathrow and New York JFK airports.
The rare single malt pays tribute to the people who strived and endured during those trying times to resume the distillery’s operations. It also honours the craftspeople of today who continue to uphold the brand’s values.
At 81 Years Old, The Reach is the oldest whisky to be released by The Macallan. Crafted from a single sherry seasoned oak cask, the 41.6% ABV whisky boasts a rich deep auburn hue. On the nose, it offers dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon, aromatic peat, plums, leather, pink grapefruit and redcurrant notes.
On the palate, it gives flavours of treacle toffee, bramble jam, liquorice, crystalised ginger, nutmeg, charred pineapple, pecans and woodsmoke. It has an intensely rich, sweet and smoky finish – rounding off the whisky’s complex flavour profile.
According to the brand owner, The Reach represents ‘an extraordinary moment in time’ and highlights The Macallan’s spirit, craftsmanship and almost 200-year whisky-making heritage.
“It is an honour to introduce The Reach,” said The Macallan Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell. ”Created during a turbulent time in the world, this extraordinary expression showcases The Macallan’s history, ingenuity and unmistakable strength of character.
This rare whisky is housed in a striking decanter crafted from mouth-blown glass and cradled in a bronze sculpture of three hands.
Each of the hands represents different memorable characters in The Macallan’s history. The first symbolises the distillery workers in 1940, who crafted the spirit amidst challenging times.
The second represents one-time The Macallan Chairman Allan Shiach, whose grandfather led the company through WWII. The third is the hand of current The Macallan Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell, who carefully selected the 1940 cask to create The Reach and share it with the world.
Campbell added, “The creation of many hands, The Reach has been a truly collaborative effort. It’s also a tribute to the people who made this precious whisky, and their enduring spirit which never wavered.”
The packaging was crafted by a collective of Scottish artisans. Sculptor Saskia Robinson created the three-hand sculpture, which boasts impressive accuracy from the nails and fingerprints to the skin and veins. It is cast in bronze, with the glimmer of the metal bouncing off the colour of the dark amber whisky.
The surface of the glass decanter features subtle indentations that match the fingerprints of the bronze hands. The decanter is housed in an elegant cabinet made using the wood of a fallen elm tree, which is believed to have once stood on The Macallan Estate in 1940.
To support the launch, a film was created by London-based photographer Nadav Kander, who worked closely with former The New York Times Art Director Matt Willey. The film features an original score by Scottish band Mogwai. It tells the evocative story of The Macallan’s history and legacy and tells the fascinating story behind The Reach.
