The Macallan 47
News From The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience
The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience Wins Major Scottish Architectural Award
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP) are incredibly proud to win this year’s Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award from the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) for The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience in Speyside.
The Doolan family and Aileen Campbell (Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government) presented Toby Jeavons, Associate Partner of RSHP with the RIAS’ Gold Medal at the awards ceremony, which took place at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh on the 4 October 2019. Each year since 2002, the award has celebrated the best building in Scotland in memory of its founder and patron Andrew Doolan.
The ‘Doolan’ shortlist is composed of winners from several categories from the RIAS and the RIBA National awards. RSHP is honoured by the recognition of this award and furthermore to have been shortlisted with the other six buildings that have already received such recognition from RIAS/RIBA combined awards.
This year’s judges; Prof. Sadie Morgan founding director of dRMM (Chair), Henry McKeown, of jm architects and Prof. Mona Siddiqui OBE Hon FRIAS visited and assessed the shortlisted buildings against a range of criteria including architectural integrity; usability and context; delivery and execution; and sustainability. RSHP’s The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience has received the award on these criteria. The judges said about the project “The attention to detail and the consistency and control of aesthetic decisions in this building is incredibly impressive. A worthy winner.”
The owners and client, Edrington, wanted a building that could reveal the production processes of their exceptional Single Malt Scotch Whisky and welcome visitors, while respecting the idyllic landscape of the Speyside region. This interplay of function and display fits well with RSHP’s architectural approach.
Informed by the surrounding landscape and the whisky production process, which has taken place on The Macallan Estate since 1824, the structure’s profile resembles ancient Scottish earthworks.
There is a great deal of responsibility in working with a brand and product that has the reputation of The Macallan in a landscape as beautiful as the Distillery’s Speyside setting. Throughout the design and construction, RSHP felt that it was contributing something special. To have it recognised by a Scottish authority such as RIAS is an honour.
Toby Jeavons, Associate Partner and Project Architect of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners said “We are thrilled that The Macallan distillery has been awarded the Doolan for 2019. It was an incredible project to have been a part of and which was only possible due to our forward-looking and ambitious client in The Macallan. A sustainable response to a fascinating and challenging brief in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes.”
Graham Stirk, Senior Design Partner, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners states that, “It has been an honour for RSHP and the wider team to have assisted The Macallan in realising their vision for a new 21st century Distillery and Visitor experience. The Macallan have been exemplary clients and central to this undertaking. Creating a facility for the future that can also respect the past and create a unique addition to one of the most beautiful landscapes in Scotland. It also serves to communicate the traditions, beauty, and importance of Scottish whisky-making to the world. The resulting building represents a new aspect to our architectural vocabulary and all the team have been intellectually enriched by the whole experience.”
George McKenzie, Head of UK Engineering, Edrington adds that, “The RIAS’ Doolan Award is an extremely humbling honour to be bestowed on the team that created The Macallan Distillery Experience. The award is testament to the vision, and collaboration from our team and our partners. Together, we have been able to deliver this unique and striking piece of contemporary architecture.”
NEW MASTER WHISKY MAKER ANNOUNCED
THE MACALLAN UNVEILS NEW MASTER WHISKY MAKER
Kirsteen Campbell to Lead Strengthened Team
The Macallan has appointed Kirsteen Campbell, renowned throughout the industry for her expertise and knowledge, as Master Whisky Maker for its Single Malt Whisky.
She will lead a newly strengthened Whisky Mastery Team, enhanced to continue delivering the outstanding quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours of The Macallan.
The team now also incorporates the role of Master of Wood to reflect the complete whisky making process and the vital influence of wood on the character of The Macallan whisky. It seamlessly combines innovation with craftsmanship and heritage to continue The Macallan’s commitment to exceptional quality since 1824.
The six-strong Whisky Mastery Team includes: Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker; Stuart MacPherson, Master of Wood; Sarah Burgess, Lead Whisky Maker; Polly Logan, Whisky Maker; Steven Bremner, Whisky Maker; and Russell Greig, Sample Room Assistant.
Its formation will formally see maturation and whisky making working hand in hand from the very beginning of the journey to bring out the best of spirit and wood. It will additionally secure the legacy of almost two centuries of whisky making heritage, by bringing together the next generation of whisky makers with The Macallan’s most experienced and skilled craftsmen and women. As part of the new approach, apprentices with natural sensory talent will learn the art of whisky making from the depth and breadth of experience within the Whisky Mastery Team.
Originally from Thurso in the Highlands, Kirsteen is the first woman to become The Macallan Master Whisky Maker in its long-standing history spanning almost 200 years. She will transition to the position from her current role within the brand’s parent company Edrington.
Embarking on her journey into the industry in 2001 with a degree in Food Science, Kirsteen worked in a new make spirits laboratory, where she discovered her passion for Scotch whisky and her extraordinary sense of smell.
Kirsteen joined Edrington in 2007 as a Whisky Quality Technologist and progressed her career to her most recent roles within for Cutty Sark, Naked Grouse, The Famous Grouse and The Glenrothes. She holds a Diploma in Distilling and has also worked at the Scotch Whisky Research Institute.
Kirsteen’s appointment and The Macallan’s enhanced focus on the art and science of whisky making and mastery of the team marks the next chapter in the history of the world-renowned single malt whisky. It follows a landmark year in 2018, which saw the opening of The Macallan Distillery Experience on Speyside, designed by internationally acclaimed architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, and paves the way for the brand’s 200th anniversary in 2024.
Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: “I feel a real sense of honour and pride to be entrusted as the custodian of The Macallan, charged with leading the Whisky Mastery Team in the creation of The Macallan’s remarkable single malt whiskies. Having been a part of the wider Edrington whisky making team for over a decade, I’m really looking forward to working more closely with the team at The Macallan.
“The Macallan is at the pinnacle of whisky making across the globe and the Whisky Mastery Team will combine the whisky makers’ depth and breadth of skills and experience to drive forward The Macallan legacy for the future.”
Igor Boyadjian, Managing Director, The Macallan, said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Kirsteen Campbell to the position of Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan. Kirsteen will join the Whisky Mastery Team and together they will use their skills and craft to continue to create and enhance our exceptional portfolio of whiskies.
“The appointment of Kirsteen and investment in the future legacy of The Macallan, with the strengthening of the Whisky Mastery Team, comes at an incredibly exciting time as The Macallan continues to cement its position as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies. In the wake of the first anniversary of the new distillery, The Macallan is experiencing continued global growth and success, enjoying growing demand in new markets.”
For further information, visit www.themacallan.com
The Macallan Unveils Exceptional Single Cask 1950
THE MACALLAN UNVEILS THE 1950 – THE PINNACLE OF THE EXCEPTIONAL SINGLE CASK RANGE
(31 July 2019, London) The Macallan has unveiled the latest release in the Exceptional Single Cask range – an exquisite and delicate expression that was distilled in 1950.
The 1950’s represent a significant period in the history of The Macallan with investment in the construction of new buildings on site and modernisation of existing buildings, the purchase of additional farmland and the first of The Macallan highland cows take residence on site.
The single malt is the centrepiece of the 2018 release from the unprecedented range which invites consumers to explore the world’s most valuable whisky through a rare insight from the legendary Whisky Makers’ bench at The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience on Speyside.
The discovery of this First fill sherry butt cask was a special moment for our whisky making team that conjured intense and memorable aromas and flavours. The unmistakable combination of antique oak and subtle peach, with lingering peat warrants this cask being treasured in its own right, with only 336 bottles of this rare single malt available globally to savour.
This exclusive range of single cask whiskies, showcases the depth and diversity of The Macallan. Each whisky revealing a particular character, a subtly different flavour or an aroma in the background making each one truly unique and never to be repeated.
The Macallan Partner With Le Clos At Dubai DXB
THE MACALLAN UNVEILS BOUTIQUE PROGRAMME AT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL (DXB) WITH LE CLOS; ONE YEAR ON FROM THE OPENING OF ITS £140M SPEYSIDE DISTILLERY AND VISITOR EXPERIENCE
The Macallan, (the most valuable single malt in the world), today announces its Boutique programme with the opening of The Macallan Boutique at the world’s busiest international airport, DXB, in partnership with Le Clos. This is a part of a multi-million pound investment that will see The Macallan stores open in select key cities and airports across the globe.
Starting with the opening of the new retail experience at DXB in partnership with Le Clos – the award winning fine wine and spirit retailer – The Macallan Boutiques will bring the heritage and prestige of the brand to life. The Boutique concept draws heavily from the beauty of The Macallan Estate. It uses architecture, aesthetics and materials, and immersive features, that are distinct to the new £140m state of the art distillery and visitor experience, opened in 2018.
Attention to detail and luxury are central to the overall design. There is a stunning, signature oak lattice centrepiece in each space, providing a direct and highly visual connection to the innovative roof of the brand’s home in Speyside, Scotland. The extraordinary spaces are designed to give a sense of familiarity to everyone who visits – from single malt aficionados to those exploring the world of The Macallan for the first time.
Suzy Smith, Managing Director , Edrington Global Travel Retail, said: “It has been a year since we opened the doors of our new distillery and visitor experience, which was one of the most exciting moments in our history as a brand. The next chapter in our story is the launch of our Boutique programme, which will bring whisky-lovers across the world even closer to our home on Speyside. Each store will be a gateway to the world of The Macallan, from the stunning cinematography of the Easter Elchies estate to the exceptional whisky available to taste.
“As we continue to roll out these Boutiques globally, we hope more people are able to catch a glimpse into the home of the world’s most valuable single malt. Partnering with Le Clos to open the first new outlet will allow us to deliver a true luxury shopping experience for travellers in our product offering and through exceptional service.”
Visitors to The Macallan Boutique are invited to discover the luxury world of The Macallan through a prestige experience that is both memorable and shareable. The Macallan brand stories shot in stunning cinematography will be showcased alongside virtual reality content that explores the history behind The Macallan Estate.
Andrew Day, Group CEO of MMI, said: “Le Clos and The Macallan have enjoyed a record-breaking partnership for over a decade and we are incredibly proud to be honoured with opening the first new Global Travel Retail Boutique for The Macallan here in DXB.
“This Boutique will bring together two exceptional brands in the world of luxury spirits creating an unrivalled and immersive customer experience. Following our successful partnership with The Macallan that spans over a decade, this new Boutique symbolises the heights we can reach with a shared vision and combined commitment to delivering the ultimate customer experience and we look forward to joining The Macallan on this exciting next stage of the journey.”
The Macallan Boutique in Dubai will offer a stunning, carefully curated range of rare and exclusive whiskies, some of which will be exclusive to Boutiques. Highlights of the prestige collection include rare bottlings from the Masters of Photography, Golden Age of Travel and Exceptional Single Cask ranges. A strong pipeline of new product innovations and Boutique exclusives will ensure The Macallan Boutique offers an engaging and ever-changing range of whiskies.
The Macallan Boutiques will be opening at a number of major international hub airports throughout 2019, starting with Terminal 3 at DXB.
THE MACALLAN ESTATE
THE MACALLAN INTRODUCES ESTATE: A TRIBUTE TO OUR HERITAGE AND HOME
The Macallan has unveiled Estate, an extremely special new single malt containing rare spirit distilled with barley grown at Easter Elchies estate, the iconic home of the world-famous whisky.
A rich and complex whisky with a remarkably long finish, The Macallan Estate was created by Whisky Makers to celebrate the single malt’s peerless provenance and heritage.
It also represents a unique opportunity to experience a single malt containing spirit made from The Macallan’s precious home-grown barley, which is distilled just once a year over the course of a single week. Previously, this spirit has been limited to The Macallan’s most exclusive and sought-after releases.
The 485-acre Easter Elchies estate is set within the legendary Speyside region of Scotland, where The Macallan has been creating extraordinary single malts since 1824. Its carefully tended barley fields are located on the banks of the River Spey, overlooked by The Macallan’s new award-winning distillery.
The distillery, which was inspired by Scotland’s undulating hills and cut into the slope of the land to complement its Spey Valley setting, opened its doors to the public in June 2018.
Displaying a warm conker, chestnut hue, The Macallan Estate exudes aromas of wood spice and orange oil. The sweet, subtle hint of citrus acts as the perfect counterbalance to the traditional sherried richness associated with The Macallan’s distinctive single malts.
Sarah Burgess, Whisky Maker for The Macallan, said: “Our Easter Elchies estate lies within the legendary Speyside region of Scotland, a place of timeless natural beauty, and a place that we are proud to call home.
“With its wonderful sweet citrus hints and warming wood spice, The Macallan Estate is a rich, satisfying and complex spirit that pays homage to the fertile Speyside lands where The Macallan is located and celebrates the unrivalled craftsmanship for which we have been known since 1824.”
The Macallan Estate is presented in an elegant gift box featuring landscape-inspired designs and it reflects the natural stones found on our estate, with an inlay of slate. Inside, aerial photography showcases the estate’s impressive barley fields on the banks of the beautiful River Spey. Priced at £195, Estate will be available to buy from selected whisky specialists from July.
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