The Macallan expands its Red Collection with 77-Years-Old guest release

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The Macallan 77-Years-Old

The Macallan has introduced a new single malt whisky into The Red Collection – The Macallan 77-Years-Old.

According to the company, The Red Collection is a range of distinguished and rare single malt Scotch whiskies that captures The Macallan’s respect for tradition and craftsmanship. Inspired by the significance of the color red throughout the history of the brand, the collection features a carefully curated selection of ongoing aged expressions and occasional high aged guest releases.

The Macallan 77-Years-Old is an extraordinary, high aged single malt and the first guest release to be inaugurated into the collection since the launch of the range in 2020. An incredibly rare whisky dating back to 1945, it is among the world’s oldest Scotch whiskies and is one of the oldest bottlings ever released by the brand.

At the heart of The Red Collection is The Macallan 40-Years-Old, The Macallan 50-Years-Old and The Macallan 60-Years-Old. Available in limited quantities globally, they are the oldest ongoing expressions ever offered by The Macallan. From time to time they are joined by special high aged guest releases, which commenced with The Macallan 71-Years-Old, The Macallan 74-Years-Old and The Macallan 78-Years-Old in 2020 and are now followed by The Macallan 77-Years-Old.

The color red has deep and long-standing significance for The Macallan. The red thread begins with Alexander Reid, the farmer and teacher who founded The Macallan in 1824. His surname means ‘the red one’ in Scots and was originally associated with red hair.

In 1903, owner Roderick Kemp launched The Macallan Choice Old range, reportedly shipped in cases labelled with distinctive red print to distinguish it from the brand’s existing whiskies, which featured black labelling. And in 1980, red featured strongly again in the release of The Macallan’s then-oldest vintages as Allan Shiach, chairman at that time, tied a red ribbon around them to denote their age and value.

Distilled decades ago, in The Macallan’s signature curiously small copper stills, the ‘new make’ spirit was laid down in hand-picked oak casks and left to mature for 77 years. Over time, the carefully selected wood has shaped the unique character of the whisky, delivering the natural color, distinctive aromas and full flavors of this aged single malt.

A balance of citrus fruits with hints of woodsmoke and antique oak open on the nose, paired with sweet notes of raisin and plump, chewy dates. Extremely rich and resinous, sumptuous baked custard, crystalized ginger, marmalade, sticky treacle and sweet smoke open on the palate, before moving into a medley of dried fruit. The finish is long with sweet woodsmoke, with the traditional flavor of Cherry Bakewell and the linger of tropical fruits.

In keeping with previous releases in the collection, the new expression is encased in a handcrafted oak presentation box, created in the UK, using the same sustainable European oak used to craft The Macallan’s oak casks. The box has been upholstered with sustainably sourced, soft red Scottish leather from Bridge of Weir Leather. The bottle itself has been hand finished and signed by The Macallan Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell.

“The Macallan 77-Years-Old is an incredible new high aged guest expression for The Red Collection, which has been crafted from some of the world’s oldest and rarest casks," says Campbell. "It is a peerless single malt whisky that has slowly matured over seven extraordinary decades until it reached peak perfection.

“This exquisite release reveals The Macallan’s legacy of incomparable craftsmanship, knowledge and skills nurtured by The Macallan’s master whisky makers, past and present. It is a great privilege to play a role in crafting the remarkable single malts which form The Red Collection today.”

A new animated film and series of illustrations have been created, depicting The Macallan Red Collection transcending from the past to the present, in collaboration with renowned Spanish painter and artist Javi Aznarez. The Spanish creator is acclaimed for his striking graphic art, which has featured in several Hollywood films, including respected director Wes Anderson’s recent feature, The French Dispatch.

The Macallan 77-Years-Old has an RRSP of US$87,000 for the 70cl bottle and is available now from The Macallan global network of travel retail boutiques.

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