The Macallan

United Kingdom

All about The Macallan

Macallan is a Speyside powerhouse and, as such, produces a wide range of malts. A fine example of Speyside Whisky character, Macallan's makes are nuanced and appealing, demonstrating a deft combination of dry fruit and baking spice.

In addition to their core range of Whiskies, Macallan also produces a high-end line, called The Rare Cask. Macallan Whisky masters carefully pick a small number of mostly first-fill casks, only about 1%, that are then used in The Rare Cask range.

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All about The Macallan distillery

The Macallan Distillery is on an estate spreading over 390 acres, bordered to the south and east by the river Spey. A beautifully managed property, Macallan's Whisky producing staff share their land with sheep and highland cattle.

At the center of the estate is the Easter Elchies House, a highland manor built over three hundred years ago. The Macallan Distillery was founded in 1824, but not as The Macallan. Alexander Reid, a farmer and teacher, founded Elchies Distillery with a newly obtained distilling license.

Whisky may have been produced on the site in unlicensed fashion, like many others prior to the Excise Act of 1823. Roderick Kemp bought Elchies in 1892, changing its name to Macallan-Glenlivet, beginning an era of prosperity that The Macallan continues to enjoy.

Highland Distillers acquired The Macallan in 1996, and were, in turn, taken over by the private equity Edrington Group in 1999. Recently, construction for a new distillery was approved and, once open in 2017, it will make Macallan the single largest producer of malt Whisky.

The Macallan distillery prides itself on the care with which it selects, maintains, and curates its casks. Their warehouses contain more than 170,000 casks, a majority being Spanish Sherry of European oak, but with many ex-Bourbon and American oak Sherry casks in the mix as well.

At last report, 25 staff are employed full time, just to oversee the maturation of Macallan's stores. Macallan is also known for its uniquely small spirit stills.

At a capacity of 3,900 liters each they are some of the smallest in the industry, concentrating the alcohol extracted in the wash with high contact, for a fruity, rich new make.

Distillery info

  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Region: Speyside
  • Address: The Macallan Distillery, Charlestown of Aberlour AB38 9RX, United Kingdom
  • Phone: +44 1340 871471
  • Website: https://us.themacallan.com/visit/