Macallan

Introduction:

Macallan Distillery is a haven for collectors, as its Single Malt whiskies fetch top prices at auctions. Revered by connoisseurs, Macallan’s fruity and aromatic Speyside whiskies consistently earn prestigious accolades. While its journey as a Single Malt whisky brand gained momentum in the 1960s, Macallan had long been a favored component in blends.

Known for its classic Sherry cask whisky, Macallan has incorporated an increasing number of Bourbon casks in recent times. Among Macallan enthusiasts, the 12 – year – old and 18 – year – old Sherry Oak whiskies hold iconic status.

Venturing beyond its traditional distillery style, Macallan introduced the Fine Oak bottlings, which combine Sherry and Bourbon casks. These malts exude rich fruit aromas intertwined with heather honey and wood notes.

Macallan made the strategic decision to move away from age statements in its core range, instead defining its whiskies by their distinct colors, derived from varying cask management techniques. The ageless whiskies in the “1824 series” — Macallan Gold, Amber, Sienna, and Ruby — offer a diverse range of flavors. Gold presents citrus and vanilla aromas, Amber combines citrus, vanilla, raisins, and cinnamon, Sienna offers dates, figs, oranges, and vanilla, while Ruby delights with spicy notes of ginger and nutmeg, accompanied by a fine, dry sweetness and oak undertones.

Production:

Macallan has significantly expanded its production capacity, reaching a peak of 11 million liters of alcohol in 2015. With 9.9 million bottles sold in the previous year, there is clear demand for Macallan whiskies. However, the Edrington Group, Macallan’s owner, is not resting on its laurels. They received approval for an extension, resulting in the construction of a new distillery, which commenced in 2015. Upon completion in 2017, Macallan’s production capacity will soar to 16 million liters of alcohol per year, securing its position as the leading malt whisky producer.

Mashing:

Macallan utilizes two mash tuns, where malt and water from on-site springs are combined. Additionally, Macallan cultivates its own barley variety called “Minstrel” on over 40 farms across Scotland and North England. Approximately 90 acres of Macallan’s premises are dedicated to growing Minstrel barley.

The Fermentation: Macallan employs a total of 28 wash backs, with only six made of wood and the remainder crafted from stainless steel. In July 2014, three additional wash backs with a capacity of 35,000 liters each were introduced.

Distillation:

Macallan’s pot stills have achieved legendary status, with their image even adorning Scottish ten-pound notes. The distillery operates 14 small spirit stills, each with a capacity of 3,900 liters, renowned for their ability to produce pure, smooth alcohol with a fruity and rich aroma. These small stills concentrate the alcohol extracted in the first distillation, which occurs in the seven wash stills, each with a volume of 12,000 liters.

Warehouses:

Macallan’s warehouses house around 170,000 whisky casks. Spanish Sherry casks from European oak comprise over half of the inventory, complemented by ex-Bourbon casks and Sherry casks from American oak. Meticulous wood management is paramount to Macallan, with great care taken in selecting the wood for initial Bourbon or Sherry storage. The distillery maintains close collaboration with coopers and winemakers in Spain, ensuring the casks are built and filled with Sherry to meet Macallan’s exacting standards. These carefully prepared casks enable Macallan to manage its whisky portfolio and create distinct core whiskies. A dedicated team of 25 employees oversees the maturation process in Macallan’s warehouses, with plans for further expansion to accommodate the growing production.

History:

The Macallan success story began with Alexander Reid, who obtained a license to distill whisky and established the Macallan Distillery in 1824. Roderick Kemp acquired the distillery in 1892, marking the start of the Kemp Family Trust era, during which the distillery expanded and achieved success under the name Macallan – Glenlivet. Macallan went public in 1968, transitioning from a supplier of malts for blends to a renowned single malt brand. Highland Distillers purchased Macallan in 1996, and the Edrington Group acquired Highland Distillers in 1999, with support from William Grant & Sons. Macallan is now under the ownership of the Robertson Trust, which holds the Edrington Group.

Visitor Centre:

It is highly recommended to reserve a tour in advance, as the tours are limited to ten people and demand is high.

Contacts

E-mail: distillery@themacallan.com
Phone: +44 (0) 1340 872 280

The tour lasts about 1 h and 45 minutes and costs 15 pounds.
Children under eight are not allowed to participate.

Opening hours

October through Easter
Monday – Friday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm

Easter through September
Monday – Saturday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm

The Macallan Visitor Centre
The Macallan Distilleries Ltd
Easter Elchies, Craigellachie
AB38 9RX, Scotland

Visitor information:

The Macallan Distillery
Easter Elchies
Craigellachie
Banffshire
AB38 9RX
Tel: +44 (0)1340-871471
Email: distillery@themacallan.com