An Edition Connecting Two Centuries of The Macallan
The Macallan TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky created to commemorate The Macallan's 200th anniversary. This 2026 edition brings together whisky of two different ages, 14 and 21 years old, made from two types of barley and matured exclusively in European oak casks seasoned with Sherry wine.
The concept revolves around time and continuity between different generations. Rather than relying on a single age, The Macallan combines two whiskies with distinctly different maturation periods. Sherry-seasoned oak provides the connection between them and places this expression firmly within the house's recognisable Sherry Cask style.
14- and 21-Year-Old Whiskies in a Single Expression
The composition of TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask incorporates 14- and 21-year-old Single Malt. This combination brings together two different stages of maturation within a single bottle, with the exclusive use of European oak seasoned with Sherry as their common denominator.
The younger whisky provides the legal age statement for the expression, while the inclusion of 21-year-old whisky forms part of the specific composition of this release. It is a different approach from a conventional Single Malt identified solely by a single age statement and helps explain the TIME : SPACE concept itself.
Two Barley Varieties, Looking to the Past and Present
Another distinctive element of this edition is the use of two types of barley. One component comes from the traditional Plumage Archer variety, while the other uses a barley variety employed today.
The combination is directly connected to the concept behind the bottle: bringing together different eras of whisky production. Plumage Archer represents a link to barley historically used in whisky making, while the contemporary variety places the expression firmly in the present.
This choice makes the raw material more than simply a technical detail. Together with the two ages, it allows the idea of past and present to be incorporated into the whisky itself rather than existing solely in the design of the edition.
Exclusively Matured in Sherry-Seasoned European Oak
Maturation takes place exclusively in European oak casks seasoned with Sherry wine. This is therefore not a final finish in this type of wood, but a maturation process built around Sherry-seasoned casks.
This is fundamental to distinguishing The Macallan TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask from expressions where the influence of wine is introduced only during the final months of maturation. Here, Sherry-seasoned European oak forms the foundation of the maturation of the whiskies selected for this edition.
The Macallan associates this combination with a profile featuring dried fruit, spices and oak nuances alongside a characteristic sweetness. These elements help explain the direction of the expression without separating the whisky into a conventional set of tasting notes.
An Edition Created for the 200th Anniversary
TIME : SPACE was conceived as a concept to celebrate The Macallan's bicentenary. This Sherry Cask version continues that idea through a deliberate combination of elements associated with different periods: two ages, two types of barley and maturation based on one of the house's historic pillars, European oak casks seasoned with Sherry.
It is also an expression of particular interest to collectors of The Macallan. Its status as a commemorative edition, its composition of 14- and 21-year-old whiskies and the specific concept behind the bottle distinguish it from the regular expressions in the range.
How to Enjoy TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask
For a bottle of this character, we recommend beginning with a simple serve, neat and at room temperature. A tulip-shaped glass helps concentrate the aromas and allows you to observe how the whisky evolves over several minutes before introducing anything else.
A small amount of water can then be added to see how the expression changes. Just a few drops are enough; the aim is to open up the whisky gradually rather than dilute it excessively.
At Licorea, we see The Macallan TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask as an expression aimed particularly at enthusiasts who value both the whisky itself and the significance behind an edition. The combination of 14- and 21-year-old whiskies, two types of barley and exclusive maturation in Sherry-seasoned European oak creates a bottle closely connected to the celebration of The Macallan's 200th anniversary.
