The Macallan has announced The Macallan M Collection, a range of limited-release single malt whiskies meant to celebrate the brand’s Six Pillars: Natural Color, Mastery, Curiously Small Spirit Stills, The Estate, Exceptional Oak Casks and Sherry Seasoning.
The Macallan M Collection features an array of colors embodying these attributes. The first three expressions are the 2022 editions of the previously released M and M Black, and the brand-new M Copper, which pays tribute to the copper stills used by The Macallan since it was founded in 1824.
The Macallan M, M Black 2022
M embodies Natural Color, a result of The Macallan using 100% natural ingredients and sherry-seasoned oak casks, the company explains.
M Black represents The Macallan’s Mastery, utilizing black-ended casks holding peated spirit. The handcrafted Lalique black crystal decanter reflects the peated smoke note found within this sherry cask-aged whisky.
The Macallan M Copper 2022
M Copper is an allusion to the Curiously Small Spirit Stills used in making The Macallan. One of the defining features of the distillation process, these stills represent a pivotal moment in the brand’s history, the company says, as when most moved to larger, higher production copper stills, The Macallan did not. Their distinctive shape and size help concentrate the new make spirit, creating rich, robust character, the company says.
With a natural color of spun gold, M Copper has a buttery, viscous mouth coating, with fruitiness with a hint of sweet malty flavor, the company reports. A handcrafted Lalique copper colored crystal decanter represents the stills.
Visually representing the Six Pillars, each of the decanters are made in collaboration with Creative Director Fabien Baron and French crystal maker Lalique. The decanters come in outer packaging that denotes the Six Pillars and the brand’s sustainably sourced status in Scotland.
The Macallan has also worked with luxury fashion photographer Nick Knight to create a series of photography and film in his abstract and expressionistic style. Knight’s imagery captures the collection in blocks of ice as a homage to The Macallan’s connection to nature and the River Spey which runs through The Macallan Estate.
“Our Six Pillars foundation stones embody all that is unique to The Macallan, together underpinning the renowned quality and rich character of our whisky and The Macallan M Collection tells the story of these unique attributes,” says Jaume Ferras, global creative director for The Macallan. “We are dedicated to uncompromised excellence, and proud to collaborate with Fabien Baron and Lalique to bring these extraordinary expressions to life, and with Nick Knight to create a dramatic visual world for the collection.”
The Macallan M Collection begins shipping worldwide today in both domestic and travel retail markets, including The Macallan Estate, The Macallan Airport Boutiques, select hotels, bars and retailers.
For each 750-ml. decanter, The Macallan M 2022 Release has a suggested retail price of $6,750, The Macallan M Black 2022 Release an SRP of $7,750 and The Macallan M Copper 2022 Release an SRP of $8,500.
This follows the release of The Macallan Fine & Rare 1990.
