The Macallan - the sophisticated spirit

When it comes to luxury and sophistication, the very best brands are defined by their ability to maintain the highest standards and their refusal to compromise or cut corners on quality. Whether it’s cars, watches, clothes or perfume, the constant pursuit of excellence is what defines a true icon.

And when it comes to buying that special gift for Christmas it’s to these super-premium brands that the discerning customer turns, since they will deliver quality and exude class every time. In the field of whisky, that brand is The Macallan, a Speyside single malt that has forged its reputation on a foundation of the finest ingredients, an unerring attention to detail and the employment of the very best mastery.

At every stage of the whisky-making – from planting new oak trees to pouring the liquid into the glass – the creators of The Macallan have put quality before everything else. Take The Macallan Fine Oak, for instance, a range of malt whiskies that has brought together all the very best aspects of great whisky-making.

The highest quality grain barley, prepared to The Macallan’s unique specification, is malted and mixed with pure spring water before being fermented. It is then distilled in unique squat pot stills, which allow the rich flavour oils to pass into the robust spirit. The ‘cut’ is the amount of distilled spirit collected from the stills as ‘new make’ spirit. The Macallan takes one of the best ‘cuts’ of any distillery in Scotland; only the best of the best, typically just 16%, goes forward to fill the casks.’

The spirit that is collected is matured in three different cask types; European oak seasoned with sherry and American oak seasoned with either sherry or bourbon. The spirit is matured for a minimum of 10 years and in some cases considerably longer, until it is thought to be perfect. Then, and only then, is this spirit removed from cask by the whisky maker and honoured to carry the name The Macallan.

The result is a range of malts that are complex, elegant, delightful and packed with flavour, a heady mix of vanilla, honey, dried fruits and orange. It is a range that has excited and delighted whisky aficionados and experts across the world; a range against which all other single malt whiskies must be judged.

The Macallan Fine Oak range includes a 10 year old, 15 year old, 21 year old and 30 year old, with prices ranging from under £30 to just under £300.

Such a fine malt whisky deserves the very smartest livery, and this Christmas The Macallan has been stylishly repackaged to re-emphasise the sophistication and quality of the whisky inside. It reinforces The Macallan’s consistent high quality and its refusal to compromise in any way, making it the perfect gift for Christmas.

Going green

The Macallan is demonstrating its concern for the environment this Christmas with the launch of a special new bottling exclusively for World Duty Free airports.

Estate Oak has been designed to provide The Macallan enthusiasts with an extraordinary single malt that will also help to renew and protect the environment. For each bottle of The Macallan Estate Oak sold, The Macallan will plant an oak tree on its estate in Speyside. All Estate Oak labels are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and are from responsibly managed resources. To minimise waste the bottle comes without a carton.

Estate Oak is matured in a complex combination of exceptional oak casks, some seasoned with sweet sherry and others with the finest bourbon. Described as soft and smooth with hints of coconut and vanilla, the new malt is available through all World Duty Free airport stores, priced at £34.99.

The Macallan Fine Oak 15 Year Old, 40% ABV 

Nose: Complex and full, with traces of orange and sweet spice.
Palate: Pleasant and full mouthfeel, with trademark orange, dark chocolate and dried fruits.
Finish: Long, fruity and warming, with flavours of raisin, orange and cocoa.
Expect to pay: £40.79