An obsession with quality has been the hallmark of The Macallan since Alexander Reid founded it on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland. The distillery is surrounded by a 196 hectare estate, at the heart of which is Easter Elchies House.
The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then, we have built a reputation as one of the world's leading single malt whiskies. The creation of The Macallan is based on the vital influences and contributions from Spain, North America and Scotland, as well as their respective natural raw materials, accompanied by their traditional skills and methods.
The Macallan has built its reputation on a product of excellent quality and distinctive character, based on a set of guiding principles. From the site to the process, to the people and the passion, the Six Pillars are the framework for The Macallan's unique spirit.
The Six Pillars
Discover the cornerstones of The Macallan's character and the creation of our exquisite spirit. They understand the strong sense of belonging that is at the heart of The Macallan distillery and our estate, as well as our extensive experience distilling and maturing a single malt whisky.
1 - Spiritual Home
Built in 1700 from local quarry sandstone for Captain John Grant, our spiritual home, Easter Elchies House, is an magnificent example of a Highland manor house. The Macallan Estate, covering some 196 hectares, is situated in an area of great natural beauty and is cultivated with due care and in harmony with the environment.
2 - Minimal stills
The minimal stills at The Macallan are among the smallest in Speyside. Their unique size and shape give the liquor maximum contact with copper, helping to concentrate the "new creation" spirit and providing the intense, fruity, full-bodied flavours that characterize The Macallan. We have 24 of these small liquor stills, made with copper, and each has an initial capacity of 3900 litres.
3 - The most precise cut
We carefully select the highest quality spirit from our stills to ensure we create the best single malt whisky. The most precise blending ensures that we produce a spirit that has our characteristic properties, such as viscosity to the touch in the mouth and fruity aromas and flavours. This small portion, or "slice", is incredibly select and one of the most precise in the industry. It is mainly responsible for the richness and great body of The Macallan's newly created spirit. This transparent and colourless spirit is selected with a volume of alcohol slightly below 70%. This remarkably robust and character-filled "new creation" spirit is the starting point for all Macallans.
4 - Exceptional oak barrels
Our exceptional oak barrels are the main contributor to the extraordinary quality and natural colours of The Macallan, as well as its unmistakable aromas and flavours. These oak barrels are made to our own specifications and determine up to 80% of The Macallan's final aromas and flavours. For this reason, we make a greater investment per barrel than any other distillery that we use to purchase, make, season and care for the barrels.
5 - Natural Colour
All the colours of The Macallan whiskies bottled at the distillery are natural. The rich variety of natural colours throughout the range, from light oak to the darkest of mahoganies, is only achieved through the interaction of the "new creation" spirit with the oak of the ageing barrels. These natural colours remain "fixed", unlike artificial colours, which lose intensity relatively quickly in contact with bright sunlight. It requires great skill on the part of the Master Whisky Maker to achieve the uniformity of the natural colours from one bottle to another.
6 - An incomparable spirit
From the place and the production to the people and the passion. The Macallan whisky is the result of that mastery and complexity so defined, which gives rise to a liquor that is unequalled and incomparable in every way. |
