Edrington 8
30 YEAR OLD MACALLAN LAUNCH
THE MACALLAN UNVEILS DOUBLE CASK 30 YEARS OLD –
AN EXCEPTIONAL SINGLE MALT WHISKY TO BE SAVOURED
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.
Brugal Rum Appoints UK Brand Ambassador
JAMIE CAMPBELL APPOINTED BRUGAL 1888 UK BRAND AMBASSADOR
Tuesday, 10th August 2021, London: Edrington UK today announces that Jamie Campbell has been appointed Brugal 1888’s UK Brand Ambassador.
With over ten years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Jamie has considerable knowledge working with luxury spirit portfolios as a brand builder.
Through his culinary and cocktail skills, Jamie creates engaging environments for consumers and the trade to thrive in. Now, as UK Brand Ambassador, Jamie will work closely with the on-trade and luxury retail outlets across the country to promote the Brugal brand and the super-premium Rum category, via consumer masterclasses and cocktail workshops to showcase the warm and welcoming nature of Brugal 1888.
Prior to his recent appointment, Jamie was Brand Experience Manager for the Lucas Bols range of Liqueurs and Genever, where he worked to grow the brand to become the No.1 Liqueurs Range in the UK On-Trade.
As the face of the Brugal brand in the UK, Jamie is dedicated to helping the brand achieve its goal of being a leading spirit for all drinking occasions and to becoming the No.1 Super-Premium Rum.
The appointment comes at a critical time for the on-trade as it slowly but surely shifts into pre-pandemic practice. Commenting on the appointment, Chris Anderson, Head of Brands at Edrington UK said: “Consumers in both the on and off-trade are keen to explore exciting categories as well as investing in more premium spirits to mark occasions which were missed during the pandemic. Now is an incredible time for Jamie to enter his new role as he’ll be able to continue shaping this newly established consumer behaviour.”
Commenting on his new role, Jamie stated: “I’m honoured to be appointed as Brugal 1888’s Brand Ambasador for the UK. I’ve always been passionate about Rum and we’re really beginning to see a shift in its popularity and how it is enjoyed in the UK. Although we may relate Rum to hotter climates, I’m excited to show our consumers that it can be both beautifully mixed to create cocktails perfect for all occasions or simply enjoyed neat.”
Jamie’s signature Brugal 1888 serve is the Dominican Double which mixes Brugal 1888, Briotette Crème de Banane and Dry Vermouth to create a balanced, ‘nearly neat’ cocktail that showcases the elegant flavour and complexity of the double aged rum.
For further information visit https://www.brugal-rum.com/en
New Premium Naked Malt Whisky Brand
NEW “NAKED MALT” IDENTITY AND PACKAGING REVEALED
Blended malt credentials boosted by fresh identity & packaging, showcasing ‘Naked’ first-fill sherry casks to appeal to a new generation of whisky drinkers
London, 13th May 2021: Ultra-premium spirits company, Edrington, is re-presenting its Naked brand with a new identity. Embracing its independent spirit and honouring the liquid by placing a first-fill sherry cask centre stage on the bottle, the brand will also evolve to Naked Malt to reinforce its quality credentials and reflect the blend of some of Scotland’s finest single malts.
The launch of Naked Malt, formerly Naked Grouse, will see no change to the award-winning liquid. However, the brand is revealing a new, contemporary design and 100% recyclable packaging. The bottle – which remains transparent to showcase the liquid – will now be embossed with a stunning “Naked” first-fill sherry cask, a homage to the unique process and the delicious flavour it embodies. Each bottle will also carry a signature from Naked Malt Master Blender, Diane Stuart, to acknowledge the meticulous blending, care & craftsmanship that goes into every specially selected cask.
Comprised of world-renowned single malts, Naked Malt’s exceptional flavour is enhanced when the unique blend is extra-matured in first-fill (or naked) Oloroso sherry casks for at least six months. As they’ve never held whisky before, this imparts the best flavour and cask character to create a distinctive taste that is rich and fruity yet versatile for any preferred serve. The brand wants to inspire a new generation of whisky drinkers to celebrate the freedom to drink whisky their way, and ultimately Live Naked, free from traditional constraints.
The finished Naked Malt blend features hints of buttery toffee and sweet spice on the nose, notes of vanilla, stewed fruit and raisins on the palate with a rich and sherried spice finish, creating a contemporary spirit that gives consumers the freedom to enjoy their way – whether that be neat, on the rocks or as part of a cocktail. The brand’s signature serve is a simple Naked Sour which reflects the versatility of the liquid.
Naked Malt will be available to purchase on Amazon, Master of Malt and The Whisky Exchange from July 2021 and will cost £27.
Elaine Miller, Global Brand Controller at Naked Malt, said: “For our consumers, the whisky category can be difficult to navigate and bound with conventions they don’t want to be constrained by, so for us, it’s about making whisky more accessible. We want to give a new generation the freedom to try whisky their way, whilst providing the reassurance of a great quality, versatile liquid.
“The new bottle design reinforces our ‘Naked’ cask story, and our ‘Naked’ bottle itself is stripped back because we want to liberate the whisky and let the quality shine through. We also took this opportunity to ensure that all packaging components are 100% recyclable, a key consideration for our consumers.”
Diane Stuart, Naked Malt Master Blender, added: “Naked Malt is blended using some of the finest Scottish single malts, each selected for its quality and individual flavour. Every cask of Single Malt Scotch whisky selected for our blend is nosed to ensure it meets our exacting standard.
“By extra maturing Naked Malt in first-fill Oloroso sherry casks, we deliver quality and intensity of flavour enviable in the contemporary whisky category. We create the perfect balance of sweet, fruity character from the American oak with the rich, dried fruit and spicy notes from the European oak to produce Naked Malts signature flavour. But what matters most is that you enjoy it whichever way you like.”
Latest Brand Development News From Maker’s Mark
Nicole Sykes Appointed Maker’s Mark UK Diplomat
14th January 2021, London: In 1943 when Bill Samuels Sr. walked away from the whisky founded by his great, great grandfather by burning the only copy of 170 year old family recipe, he set off to personally create a whisky that he could proudly share with his friends and family. Collaborating with his wife Margie Samuels, their result was Maker’s Mark Bourbon Whisky.
To continue the tradition of proudly sharing this great tasting whisky with our friends and family, we are delighted to share the news that the award-winning UK bartender and drinks expert Nicole Sykes has joined Edrington Beam Suntory UK as Maker’s Mark Diplomat.
Nicole brings 5 years’ experience to the Bourbon Whisky brand, working in some of the world’s most iconic bars in London and Edinburgh including Lyaness, Voodoo Rooms and most recently at Satan’s Whiskers, one of the world’s leading independent cocktail bars.
Nicole has also received numerous awards and accolades for her creativity and commitment to quality. Nicole’s passion for handmade cocktails and crafted American whisky will be key to sharing Maker’s Mark remarkable story.
Commenting on Maker’s Mark new role Nicole Sykes said: “The most compelling part for me is the genuine story behind Maker’s Mark. Each step of the process has its purpose and is there to create the best tasting Bourbon Whisky. It’s much like when bartenders create cocktails, each ingredient and method is well thought out. We don’t use the cheapest or quickest methods; we use the best methods to achieve the best taste experience.”
In her new role, Nicole will share the unique hand-crafted story of Maker’s Mark with bartenders and Bourbon Whisky enthusiasts across the UK. She will also work to support the on-trade during their transition back into service as restrictions loosen in the coming weeks.
Nick Temperley, General Manager for London at Edrington-Beam Suntory UK also commented: “We are extremely excited to have Nicole join the team here at Maker’s Mark. Having proven herself as an outstanding bartender in some of London’s best bars, she will now bring her own sense of fun, energy and cocktail experience to help us grow our remarkable bourbon whisky and support all our customers in 2021.”
For more information visit: www.makersmark.com
It’s a Red October As Macallan Release Latest Collection
INTRODUCING THE RED COLLECTION – REFLECTING THE MACALLAN’S EXCEPTIONAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE
The Macallan has unveiled The Red Collection, an exquisite range of distinguished and rare single malt Scotch whiskies which captures The Macallan’s deep respect for tradition and craftsmanship.
Inspired by the significance of the colour red throughout the history of the brand, The Red Collection features a carefully curated selection of ongoing aged expressions and high aged guest releases.
At the heart of The Red Collection is The Macallan 40 Years Old, The Macallan 50 Years Old and The Macallan 60 Years Old. These remarkable single malts, which will anchor the range, are the oldest ongoing expressions ever offered by The Macallan and will be available in limited quantities globally.
From time to time they will be joined by special high aged guest releases, commencing with The Macallan 71 Years Old, The Macallan 74 Years Old and The Macallan 78 Years Old. These incredibly rare single malts are among the world’s oldest Scotch whiskies, with The Macallan 74 Years Old and The Macallan 78 Years Old being the oldest bottlings ever released in the history of the brand.
Together they showcase the pursuit of uncompromised excellence for which The Macallan is renowned and reveal the legacy of craftsmanship, innovation and knowledge that sustains The Macallan to this day.
An extremely rare, complete set of The Red Collection is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s after being gifted by The Macallan to raise funds for food charity, City Harvest, which redistributes surplus from the food industry to vulnerable people across London. The Sotheby’s auction runs from 22 October to 31 October 2020.
Distilled decades ago, in The Macallan’s signature curiously small copper stills, each peerless expression in The Red Collection has been matured in The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks under the watchful eye of several generations of whisky makers. Over time, these astonishing single malt whiskies have slowly been shaped and influenced by the carefully selected casks to deliver extraordinarily elegant aged whiskies.
The colour 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. It was reportedly shipped in cases labelled with distinctive red print to distinguish it from The Macallan’s existing whiskies, which featured black labelling.
And almost eight decades later, in 1980, red was to feature strongly in the release of The Macallan’s then oldest vintages, dated 1938, 1940 and 1950. Allan Shiach, chairman of The Macallan at that time, tied a red ribbon around the sought-after bottlings to denote their age and value.
The three characters now feature in a remarkable animated film created to introduce The Red Collection in collaboration with celebrated Spanish painter and illustrator 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 upcoming feature, The French Dispatch, and was also instrumental in the storyboard development for ‘Greta’ by director Neil Jordan in 2018.
The animation is set to music recorded by Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, one of the world’s most influential classical artists of today.
Javi Aznarez said: “When a brand like The Macallan, which has been making whisky for nearly 200 years, asks you to draw red for them, to explain what red means to them, it’s quite a challenge. Alexander Reid – The Red, Allan Shiach, and Roderick Kemp are some of the people that have led The Macallan to excellence.
“What I like about The Macallan is that the colour of their whisky is natural. It’s the cask that, little by little, over time, paints this whisky.
“I think that The Macallan and I value time very much. I need plenty of time to do my drawings and they need years to achieve the excellence of this whisky.”
Each expression in The Red Collection is encased in an exquisite oak presentation box created from the same sustainable European oak used to craft The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks. The boxes are beautifully upholstered with sustainably sourced soft red leather from Scottish supplier Bridge of Weir Leather, which creates upholstery for leading luxury car brands across the globe.
A bespoke handcrafted case that can house the trio of ongoing or guest releases has also been developed by Scottish artisan furniture and objet d’art manufacturer, Method Design Studio. Based in Linlithgow, near Edinburgh, Method utilises traditional craftsmanship and skills to create one-off commissions for some of the world’s top luxury brands.
Each of the ongoing releases in The Red Collection has been hand finished and signed by Kirsteen Campbell, who was appointed Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan in 2019 and is the first woman to occupy the role in the history of the brand which spans almost 200 years. Sarah Burgess, Lead Whisky Maker for The Macallan, has signed the initial guest releases.
Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan, said: “Created from some of the world’s oldest and rarest casks it is an incredible privilege to have crafted The Red Collection, the pinnacle of The Macallan’s portfolio.
“It’s thanks to the foresight of previous custodians of The Macallan, who laid down and aged these extraordinary casks, that we have been able to curate such a remarkable selection of whiskies.
“Each precious drop offers a unique opportunity to explore The Macallan’s whisky making legacy. The incredible elegance and rich flavours of the expressions that form The Red Collection are a direct result of the craftsmanship, knowledge and skills nurtured by our master whisky makers, past and present.”
The Macallan Red Collection will be available from Harrods, The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop and other selected specialist retailers from 15 October 2020.
The Red Collection will have an RRSP as follows:
The Macallan 40 Years Old – £11,300
The Macallan 50 Years Old – £37,500
The Macallan 60 Years Old – £49,000
The Macallan 71 Years Old – £58,500
The Macallan 74 Years Old – £61,500
The Macallan 78 Years Old – £65,500
For further information visit www.themacallan.com
