News 355
The Macallan Unveils New Multi Million Pound Distillery and Visitor Centre
A FIRST FOR SPEYSIDE AS EDRINGTON UNVEILS NEW MACALLAN DISTILLERY
(DESIGNED BY INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARCHITECTS)
Edrington, the international premium spirits company, has revealed the new distillery and visitor experience for The Macallan.
The new distillery and visitor experience is located on the stunning Easter Elchies estate, which has been home to the leading luxury single malt since 1824. From humble beginnings, the brand has risen to become the leading international single malt by value and enjoys leading positions in some of the world’s most significant Scotch whisky markets including The USA, Taiwan, and Japan.
It is the first distillery on Speyside to be designed by an internationally acclaimed architect, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, who were selected to lead the project after an international competition.
Edrington is investing £500 million in the brand of which the £140 million distillery is the centrepiece. This programme increases investment in whisky, warehousing, and particularly in The Macallan’s signature sherry-seasoned oak casks.
The project was announced in 2012 and the build began in December 2014. The first whisky ran through the stills in December last year and the visitor experience will open its doors to the public on 2nd June. It is expected that visitor numbers will double in the first year and continue to rise thereafter.
The new distillery will enable production of The Macallan to increase by a third if required. The new stills were crafted by Scottish coppersmiths Forsyths, who have been making the brand’s distinctive, ‘curiously small’ stills for The Macallan since the 1950s.
Elgin-based Robertson Construction has delivered the complex architectural design, working with 25 contractors to bring the vision for the new distillery and visitor experience to life. During construction, up to 400 people specialising in more than 20 different trades were employed on site.
The striking piece of contemporary architecture is cut into the slope of the land, taking its cues from ancient Scottish hills and maximising the aesthetic beauty of the building whilst minimising the visual impact on the Speyside landscape, which has been classified as an ‘Area of Great Landscape Value’.
The undulating timber roof structure is one of the most complicated timber roof structures in the world, comprising 380,000 individual components.
Ian Curle, Chief Executive, Edrington, said: “This is an exciting occasion for Edrington and The Macallan. The unsurpassed quality of The Macallan is in high demand and we face the future confidently with this new distillery. It’s an authentic, abiding, ambitious investment that will match consumer expectations for generations to come.
When the doors open in June, we expect this new Macallan enterprise to deliver significant benefits for the tourism industry, Scotch whisky exports, and the economy.”
Ken Grier, Creative Director, The Macallan, said: “As The Macallan has grown globally it has been very important that we make sure we can sustain demand for this wonderful amber liquid. We’ve taken exceptional care in making sure that the spirit that is produced in the new distillery is identical to the spirit that we produced in our previous distillery. This is the beginning of a really exciting new chapter in the evolution of this wonderful brand that is The Macallan.”
Graham Stirk, Senior Partner and Lead Architect, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners commented: “The Macallan estate truly is a special place; a place we have come to love and respect hugely. The vision was always ambitious but this enabled us to challenge our own thinking to create something so dramatic and awe-inspiring. It has been an honour to play our part in shaping the next chapter for The Macallan.”
For further information visit www.themacallan.com
Gordon & MacPhail Unveils…
New ‘Discovery’ Range of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies
Family-run single malt whisky creators, Gordon & MacPhail, has announced the launch of ‘Discovery’, a new range that is part of the company’s commitment to strengthen and streamline the brand’s portfolio.
The range of carefully selected whiskies is grouped and colour-coded under three flavour profiles – ‘Smoky, ‘Sherry’ and ‘Bourbon’. Designed to help whisky drinkers to begin an exploratory journey through the Gordon & MacPhail portfolio, each bottle features a brief tasting note and either a vintage or age statement.
The first expressions to be released within the new ‘Discovery’ range comprise spirit originally from Balblair, Tormore, Miltonduff and Caol Ila distilleries, then matured in Gordon & MacPhail’s own hand-selected casks. Prices start from £49.95 UK (RSP) and vary in available markets around the world due to taxes and duties.
Stephen Rankin, Director of Prestige and a fourth-generation member of the Urquhart family, owners of Gordon & MacPhail, remarked: “We’re proud to be the curators of the world’s most diverse stock of single malt whiskies from over 100 distilleries. We’ve spent several years working to develop this new range for whisky lovers globally.
“’Discovery’ offers whisky drinkers the opportunity to begin a journey with us through the Gordon & MacPhail whiskies portfolio. By offering flavour profiles and tasting notes, we want to help the discerning consumer navigate their choices with confidence, beyond their usual malt.”
‘Discovery’ is the second range to launch as part of the updated portfolio, which offers consumers five distinct ranges. The new look ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ range was unveiled last month (April 2018). The additional ranges for ‘Distillery Labels’ and ‘Private Collection’ will be revealed to consumers in the summer and autumn respectively. The launch of the next ‘Generations’ release is yet to be revealed.
For more information about the new ‘Discovery’ range and the streamlined portfolio, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com.
AUCHENTOSHAN® IS RALLYING BARTENDERS TO JOIN ITS GLOBAL COLLECTIVE
THE NEW MALT ORDER
Auchentoshan is on the hunt for the best bartending talent to enter its global cocktail competition
11 May 2018: Auchentoshan® is on a mission to find creative bartenders to join its international bartender collective as it announces the launch of its New Malt Order 2018 competition. Launched in 2016, the New Malt Order is a growing community of like-minded bartenders who share a passion for shaking up the world of single malts.The urban malt from the city of Glasgow, is challenging entrants to create a cocktail that captures the essence of its triple distilled malt whisky and takes inspiration from the bartender’s home city. Successful bartenders will be given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the home of Auchentoshan® in Glasgow and become immersed in the city’s culture and create an exclusive liquid with Master Blender, Ron Welsh (pictured below). The winners will go behind the scenes at the distillery and select from casks, blend, bottle and even have their say on the final packaging of this rare and unique single malt.
THE ORIGINAL CITY MALT
This year Auchentoshan® will celebrate its urban heritage and challenge bartenders to capture their city’s unique character in an Auchentoshan cocktail. The competition is now open and bartenders from the UK, Canada, Russia, Australia and Germany are being encouraged to enter via Instagram for a chance to become part of the New Malt Order global collective.
Judged by the best in the business, winners of this once in a lifetime experience will be announced in September.
THE NEW MALT ORDER
Launched in 2016, The New Malt Order is not only a competition but a growing global community of passionate bartenders who are pushing boundaries, breaking rules and taking single malt whisky to new places and new faces.
TWO LIMITED EDITIONS
Bartenders’ Malt 01 | Released July 2017
In 2016, the inaugural 12 bartenders from some of the world’s best bars designed a 47% ABV malt to blend in cocktails such as Bobby Burns, Vieux Carré, and the classic Old Fashioned.
Colour: Gold- copper with subtle grassy reflections
Nose: Dried apricots, milk, chocolate, honey and green tobacco leaf
Palate: Delicate floral cherry blossom and buttery brioche undercut by zesty notes of ginger
Bartenders’ Malt 02 | Released later in 2018
Bartenders’ Malt 02, created by 2017’s cohort of international bartenders, will be released exclusively to the on-trade later this year.
Speaking about the upcoming release, Master Blender Ron Welsh, said: “We’ve created a blend that matches bartenders tastes for mixing cocktails. It’s one of the best Auchentoshan®’s I’ve ever tasted.”
Charles Roche from Scout in London, a member of The New Malt Order: “Being a member of the New Malt Order is amazing. We’ve blended a whisky using our bartending expertise specifically for bartenders. It’s the perfect mix for any whisky based cocktail.”
Marco Di Ciacca, Senior Brand Manager, Edrington-Beam Suntory said: “We are excited and proud to announce Auchentoshan®’s New Malt Order competition for the third consecutive year. We are passionate about seeking the best advocates to represent single malt and champion creative bartending on a global scale. We’re looking forward to witnessing how the entrants capture the essence of their city this year and welcome the winners to the home of Auchentoshan®.”
BECOME PART OF THE NEW MALT ORDER 2018
The competition is now open, all entries need to be submitted by Saturday 30 June.
HOW TO ENTER
Enter on Instagram by posting:
- A photo of a cocktail that embodies your city (no branding or people to be included)
- Tag @theauchentoshan and use #newmaltorder so we can track your entry
- Tag your bar (e.g. @scoutldn)
- Post details of your cocktail’s ingredients and methodology
- Post an outline of your City inspiration behind the cocktail
To find out more and to enter, visit
www.instagram.com/theauchentoshan or www.auchentoshan.com/newmaltorder
The Macallan Introduces The Quest Collection
Exclusive to Global Travel Retail
Brought To You By The Macallan
Like with everything that comes out of The Macallan distillery there is always an element of something rather special to speak about and with the relatively recent launch of The Macallan Quest Collection exclusively for global travel retail, we thought we’d share some of the news…
World Whisky Day (19 May 2018)
Raise a Dram With The World On World Whisky Day (19 May 2018)
THE MACALLAN SHERRY OAK 12-YEAR-OLD – £73.00
For those who appreciate the intricacies of flavour, purchase a bottle of The Macallan Sherry Oak 12-Year-Old.
Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the worlds most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. This particular liquid has been aged in exclusively sherry seasoned American & European oak casks. This gives it a deliciously smooth taste, punctuated with rich dried fruits and sherry but balanced with wood smoke and spices.
Available to buy from Waitrose
BOWMORE 15 – £50.00
Bowmore 15 was voted Whisky of the Year 2018 by The Whisky Exchange and is the perfect dram to toast World Whisky Day.
Matured in an incredible combination of both bourbon and sherry casks, it spends its final three years in Oloroso sherry casks, which give Bowmore 15 the rich, deep colour and warming finish.
Notes of toffee, treacle and chocolate make this delicious liquid great for someone looking to taste the best of the legendary Islay distillery’s millennial output.
Available to buy from The Whisky Exchange
LAPHROAIG 10 YEAR OLD – £36
If you like tradition and heritage, look no further than the Laphroaig 10 Year Old. It is the only single malt Scotch whisky to be awarded the Royal Warrant by HRH The Prince Of Wales, the ultimate seal of approval.
Notable for its high levels of peat, Laphroaig 10 has a very distinct and unique flavour profile, with an earthy, tangy taste detailed with elements of sweetness. Unforgettable.
Wonderful neat or with a drop of water, but it’s also perfect in The Penicillin cocktail with lemon, ginger and honey.
Available to buy from Waitrose and Sainsbury’s
HIGHLAND PARK 12 YEAR OLD – £35.00
Highland Park was founded by the descendants of Vikings, whose influence can be seen on the bottle’s incredible design. Pick this bottle for its sweetness and warmth – a whisky that never lets you down.
The 12-Year-Old, also called the Orkney after their historic island north of Scotland, has notes of honey with a gentle peaty smokiness. It is fantastic neat or over ice, but it can also be great in an Orcadian Cooler, which includes lemon, elderflower and soda water.
Available to buy from Tesco and Sainsbury’s
https://www.highlandparkwhisky.com/
MAKER’S MARK KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON – £30.00
Maker’s Mark is a small-batch Bourbon handmade in Loretto, Kentucky using the same principles Bill Samuels Sr., first used in 1954.
Made from red winter wheat it has a sweeter taste than most traditional Bourbons giving it a distinctive taste. With notes of oak, caramel, vanilla and spice it is best served on its own, or as part of an Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule or hot Apple Cider.
Maker’s is distilled for six years before being bottled and sealed with red wax to give it a distinctive look, and is a great pick for a fan of bourbon.
Available to buy from Tesco and Waitrose.
SUNTORY HIBIKI HARMONY – £62.50
Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a blend of Japanese malt and grain whiskies from three different regions: Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita. The whiskies are drawn from five different types of cask, and the bottle is presented in the brand’s trademark 24-faceted bottle representing the Japanese seasons.
The blend of select handcrafted whiskies pays tribute to the original Hibiki, which was launched in 1989. The finish is elegant and subtle, with a hint of Mizunara (Japanese oak). Perfect for those looking to celebrate World Whisky Day with a refined tipple.
Available to buy from Waitrose.
https://whisky.suntory.com/en/global/products/hibiki/sku/
