It’s been two centuries since Alexander Reid, founder of The Macallan, distilled the very first batch of whisky on the banks of the River Spey in Scotland. Since then, the iconic brand has cemented its reputation for producing some of the highest quality single malts in the world. Now, to celebrate its 200th birthday, the storied distillery has joined forces with Bentley Motors to finally release a collaborative single malt Scotch: The Macallan Horizon.
As you would expect, this is no ordinary whisky. Effortlessly fusing The Macallan’s traditional craftsmanship with Bentley’s cutting-edge engineering technology, the resulting liquor is truly special. The distillery’s master whisky maker, Kirsteen Campbell, painstakingly selected six first-fill sherry-seasoned oak casks from the stocks at the estate to craft the single malt. Each of the casks brings its own characteristics to The Macallan Horizon, imbuing the whisky with a complex and intense flavor, texture and natural color.
What does it taste like? According to the distillery, you can expect rich flavors of dried fruit and spice, expertly balanced with notes of oak and leather in a nod to the aromas found in Bentley’s luxury cars.
[See also: The Macallan Creates Single Cask Edition for New York Auction]
The Macallan Horizon is presented in a horizontal glass bottle featuring a unique 180-degree twist detail. In homage to the key materials used to manufacture Bentley’s vehicles, the glass is encased within an aluminum ribbon and chestnut-hued sculpture lined with the finest low carbon leather. The bottle is finished with a recycled copper frame crafted using copper from the stills at The Macallan’s former distillery and Bentley’s crown-cut walnut veneer.
“Our collaboration with Bentley and the knowledge exchange we have undertaken has inspired us to see things very differently,” said Jaume Ferras, creative director at The Macallan. “In the spirits world, everything is vertical, such as our stills and our bottles. When we looked at the horizontal lane that Bentley’s grand tourers occupy, it made us consider if and how we could adapt this format for whisky, which ultimately requires to be poured and enjoyed. The beautiful design we have created together for The Macallan Horizon and the unique materials that have been incorporated are testament to the incomparable craftsmanship, innovation and creativity for which The Macallan and Bentley are renowned.”
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Adrian Hallmark, Bentley’s chairman and CEO added: “We’ve spent years working with The Macallan through our partnership, taking time to craft this incredible first joint product that represents the best of both brands. Centered on innovative materials that reflect our focus on the future, the end result – both the whisk and the vessel that contains it – are stunning, and represent a new benchmark for design, materials and quality in this space.”
The Macallan Horizon will be available at The Macallan Estate Boutique and at the brand’s global network of domestic and travel retail boutiques for $50,000.
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[See also: The Most Expensive Whisky Ever Sold at Auction]
This article appears in the 03 Jun 2024 issue of the New Statesman, Summer 2024
