The Macallan has introduced Double Cask 30 Years Old into the coveted Double Cask range.
The new aged single malt whisky in the distinctive Double Cask flavour profile exhibits a rich depth of flavour and a complex character and tells the story of a journey which brings together two different worlds.
The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old has matured for 30 years in a harmonious union of sherry seasoned American and European oak casks, to create a sweeter, warmer taste and character. The sherry seasoned American oak imparts delicate, sweet flavours, while the European oak delivers the subtle and classic style of The Macallan.
The Macallan has collaborated with acclaimed American artist and photographer, Erik Madigan Heck to showcase the signature tastes and unique and distinctive flavour profile of Double Cask 30 Years Old. Heck shares many of The Macallan’s values including Nature, Legacy, Artistry, Creativity and Craftsmanship. Taking his inspiration from the natural landscape on The Macallan Estate and the complex flavours and natural colour of the whisky, he captured powerful imagery evoking the single malt’s character, depicting its flavours, textures and colour in a unique and contemporary way.
Heck’s incredible photography set features three striking compositions: a collection of ‘abstract leaves’ from an oak tree which like the whisky itself strikes the perfect balance of modesty and complexity; an image of a ‘blue tree’ representing Double Cask 30 Years Old’s simple yet rich and complex character; and a remarkable still life, reminiscent of the great Flemish still life paintings from the 17th century which depicts the vibrant colours and varying textures of the flavours in the whisky.
Displaying a natural golden acorn hue, The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old imparts aromas of fresh honeycomb, sweet toffee, red apple, fig and vanilla pod. On the palate there is a smooth melody of cinnamon, ginger, Madagascan vanilla, dried fruits and oak flavours, while the finish delivers sweet oak, soft spice and toffee.
The Double Cask journey begins in the vast green forests of northern Spain and southern France, where The Macallan sources its European oak. New oak from the lush forests of Ohio, Missouri and Kentucky in America is also transported to Spain. Both types are hand crafted into casks and toasted over an open-air fire in the cooperages of Jerez before being filled with the finest sherry wine and left to season for up to 18 months.
Once seasoned, the casks travel to The Macallan Estate in Speyside where they are filled with new-make spirit. Following years of slumber, The Macallan’s Whisky Mastery Team use their skill and expertise to select the best balance of spirit from both the American and European oak casks to create Double Cask.
Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: “The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old is a modern take on our classic 30-year-old and is an exceptional aged single malt. With a rich combination and depth of flavour and a complex character, it is a whisky to be savoured, exhibiting notes of cinder toffee, fresh honeycomb, rich vanilla and red apples.
“The Macallan Double Cask brings together sherry seasoned American and European oak casks to create the perfect balance of flavours. It is the oak that gives the whisky its natural colour and is the single greatest contributor to the quality, distinctive aromas and flavours.”
Erik Madigan Heck said: “Nature lies at the heart of my work, and I was greatly inspired by the breath-taking natural landscape on The Macallan Estate. I was drawn to an oak tree and its leaves which provided the perfect subjects to evoke the seemingly simply, yet rich and complex character of Double Cask 30 Years Old and to depict the natural colour of the whisky.
“I also created a still life image featuring vibrant colours and varying textures to portray the whisky’s luscious flavours while natural light captures its depth of character. The whisky’s golden acorn natural colour provides the focal point of the shot, and its rich tone and translucent glow influenced the colour palette of the piece as a whole.”
The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old is encased in a luxurious solid oak presentation box and has an RRSP of US$4,000. It will be available at The Macallan Boutiques, premium bars and restaurants and premium specialist retailers globally from September 2021. For further information visit www.themacallan.com
Buy Other Macallan 30 Year Old Here!
Whisky Maker’s Notes:
ABV: 43%
Colour: Golden acorn
Aroma: Fresh honeycomb, sweet toffee, red apple, fig and vanilla pod.
Palate: A smooth melody of cinnamon, ginger, Madagascan vanilla, dried fruits and oak.
Finish: Sweet oak, soft spice and toffee.
The Macallan has released Double Cask 15 Years Old and Double Cask 18 Years Old in a significant expansion of the highly successful range.
First introduced in 2016 with The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old, the enticing collection is formed from a harmonious union of American and European oak sherry seasoned casks. Together they combine to create a perfectly balanced single malt Scotch whisky with a distinctive warm character that is punctuated with a contemporary soft sweetness.
Double Cask tells the story of a journey which brings together two different worlds. The voyage begins in the vast green forests of northern Spain and the French Pyrenees, where The Macallan sources its European oak. New oak from the lush forests of Ohio, Missouri and Kentucky in America is also transported thousands of miles to Spain, where both types of oak are hand crafted into casks that are filled with sherry.
Once seasoned, the casks are shipped to The Macallan Estate on Speyside where they are filled with new-make spirit. Following years of slumber, The Macallan’s Whisky Mastery Team use their skill and expertise to select the best balance of spirit from both the American and European oak sherry seasoned casks to create Double Cask.
The result is a perfect partnership, with the sherry seasoned American oak imparting delicate flavours of vanilla, while the European oak delivers the subtle and unmistakeable spice and classic style of The Macallan.
The incredible wood journey which underpins Double Cask was recently showcased by a collaboration with iconic Magnum photographer Steve McCurry, who travelled across continents to witness The Macallan’s decisive story unfold. His exclusive photographic journal documents the people, places, skills and processes involved in the production of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks.
The new expressions will significantly enhance the existing Double Cask range, which lies at the heart of The Macallan’s portfolio of single malts and is a popular choice with whisky lovers around the world.
Displaying a golden butterscotch hue, The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old imparts aromas of dried fruit, toffee and vanilla, and delivers a warming finish with a creamy mouthfeel.
The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old has a rich amber honey tone, and imparts notes of dried fruits, ginger and toffee. A warm oak spice finish is balanced by citrus flavours of sweet orange.
Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: “Bringing together American and European oak sherry seasoned casks to achieve the perfect balance of flavours is incredibly exciting for the Whisky Mastery Team, and we are proud to offer two new expressions to this distinctive range for The Macallan Double Cask fans to explore.
“With Double Cask 15 Years Old, the delicate and indulgent flavours of American oak including honey, citrus and chocolate balance The Macallan’s more traditional characteristics of rich fruits, sherry and wood spice. The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old offers slightly more complexity, with rich raisin and sultana subtly balanced by warming oak spice.
“Oak influence is the single greatest contributor to the quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours at the heart of The Macallan’s single malts.”
The new Double Cask expressions demonstrate The Macallan’s enduring desire to go beyond the ordinary, to seek out the extraordinary, and create peerless single malts.
The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old has an RRP of £100 and The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old has an RRP of £250. They will be available from specialist retailers such as The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt and The Whisky Shop.
For further information visit www.themacallan.com
Whisky is a popular choice for Dads across the country on Father’s Day, and whether they’re new to the “water of life” or they’re a devoted fan there’s definitely something for everyone. Take a look at our wish list of award-winning whiskies, to give you inspiration for the perfect gift this Father’s Day.
For something new to treat your dad with, The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is exclusively sherry seasoned and delivers a distinct American oak style, reflecting a perfect harmony of flavours and natural colour. The delicate flavour of American oak – vanilla, citrus and light oak – rises in prominence as the traditional Macallan character of rich fruit, sherry and wood spice affords a familiar back drop. This is a flavour combination which is guaranteed until the very last drop. The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is available in specialist whisky retailers including The Whisky Exchange and Master of Malt (RRP £55). www.themacallan.com
Gift a whisky to treasure with the first expression in The 1824 Series, The Macallan Gold. Showcasing the single malt’s natural colour, The Macallan Gold has notes of vanilla followed by dark chocolate, with lingering floral and light oak notes. The Macallan Gold is available in multiple retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons (RRP £38). www.themacallan.com
Highland Park 12 Year Old, the Orkney Single Malt with Viking Soul, is the ideal gift for fans of flavour, and now comes in a new, ornately embossed bottle and carton. This single malt is at the heart of Highland Park’s core range and is a rich and well-balanced whisky boasting a honey sweetness, followed by fruity notes with a hint of gentle smoke. Highland Park 12 Year Old is available at multiple retailers including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Co-op (RRP £35). www.highlandpark.co.uk
For the whisky aficionado, Highland Park 18 Year Old is an ideal gift. Named “Best Spirit in the World” by US spirits writer F. Paul Pacult, this single malt is a masterclass of balance, complexity and refinement. Displaying characteristic toffee sweetness with a full smoky finish it is a whisky that reveals more layers with every glass you enjoy. Highland Park 18 Year Old is available in all good whisky specialists including www.masterofmalt.com and www.thewhiskyexhange.com (RRP £99). www.highlandpark.co.uk
Aged exclusively in sherry oak casks, The Macallan Rare Cask sees soft notes of opulent vanilla and raisin pique the nose, giving way to a sweet ensemble of apple, lemon, and orange. A single malt produced through meticulous dedication to wood – with some of the casks used to age the whisky from sherry bodegas no longer in existence – it is the perfect gift for those who are fans of craftsmanship and quality. The Macallan Rare Cask is available in select whisky retailers including The Whisky Shop and Harrods (RRP £200). www.themacallan.com
Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Maxxium UK.
For further information or images, please contact Gabrielle Roscamp at The BIG Partnership:
0131 557 5252 / Gabrielle.Roscamp@bigpartnership.co.uk
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