29.03.2025
Macallan Timeless Distillery Part 3: Discovering The Archival Series, Rare Cask Collection, and Classic Cut
Macallan Timeless distellery Part 3
In the previous section of this series, we delved into the world of Macallan’s exceptional expressions, focusing on the Harmony Collection, the James Bond Edition, and A Night on Earth. Each of these releases represented a unique chapter in Macallan's ongoing pursuit of craftsmanship, innovation, and tradition.
As we continue our journey through the timeless distillery, we now turn our attention to three more remarkable collections that highlight Macallan’s commitment to excellence: The Archival Series, Rare Cask Collection, and Classic Cut. These iconic expressions showcase Macallan’s mastery in blending artistry with meticulous attention to detail, offering whisky connoisseurs a deeper appreciation of the distillery’s rich legacy and its future-forward approach to whisky-making.
Join us as we explore the nuances of these sought-after releases and their place in the ever-evolving story of Macallan.
The Archival Series
Folio 1, 43% Vol.
The first release in a 24 part series that celebrates and revisits The Macallan's original print, press and film advertising campaign; mapping the story of The Macallan from a remote farmstead on the River Spey to a whisky that is enjoyed around the world. The first advertisement for The Macallan appeared in “The Times” newspaper on the back page next to the crossword, on 27th March 1980. The format was unusual - small scale black and white ads, beautifully written in precise, witty prose.
This was to be the forerunner of a long running and highly successful campaign; masterminded by creative director, David Holmes, and copywriter, Nick Salaman, of the then London agency, Holmes Knight Ritchie. Running through to the early 1990s, the campaign helped to establish The Macallan’s credentials as a brand.
Folio 2, 43% Vol.
The second in an affectionate and nostalgic 24-part series honouring Macallan's first advertising campaign. After the first preliminary discussion with then Macallan Chairman Peter Shiach in the late 1970s, creative advertising duo David Holmes and Nick Salaman designed 250 individual adverts for The Macallan over a period of three decades. The campaign evolved over time from a small format alongside The Times crossword in 1980 (featured on the first instalment of the Folio series) to larger and more creative placements with an intelligently witty and distinctive tone of voice that was almost infectious.
Folio 3, 43% Vol.
The continuation of the exciting rediscovery of The Macallan's adverts from the seventies, eighties and nineties and their creators. The design of Folio 3 is characterised by an advertising theme that takes up the idea that whisky is best made in cold weather. David Holmes and Nick Salaman were inspired by a tradition introduced to them by the manager of the Macallan distillery during a visit to The Macallan Estate. Continuing the distinctive style of the ads and the simple but memorable slogan, which internalised the mantra ‘less is more’, the ongoing campaign continued powerfully in a small format and gained popularity among a wider audience.
Folio 4, 43% Vol.
Folio 4 contains an advert featuring a Strathspey composed by James Scott Skinner (1843-1927). The ad states that Skinner, the ‘Strathspey King’, was moved to music by the lilting taste and melting sounds of a tumbler of his favourite malt whisky - The Macallan.
The small but ground-breaking advert was the first example of the display of musical notes on a page of the British newspaper The Times, and possibly also of advertising for a whisky.
Folio 5, 43% Vol.
The fifth release in The Macallan Archival Series, an iconic series celebrating the classic advertising campaigns of the 1970s, 80s and 90s. The Macallan Folio 5 recalls an advert with the story of a ‘Luggy Bonnet’ with the words ‘Keep this knot firmly tied’. The sketched image recalls a scene among acquaintances at the end of a day in Speyside, when a sportsman talks about a so-called ‘disaster’ in which he missed the opportunity to drink a glass of Macallan from the ‘Laird’ because his hat was covering his ears.
Folio 6, 43% Vol.
The sixth release from The Macallan Archival Series, an iconic series created to commemorate our legendary print, press and advertising campaignsof the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Folio 6 celebrates a wonderfully witty advert, which cleverly featured ‘The Chairman’ as a Scotsman dancing the Highland fling over a pen and brush, the symbols of the advertising team of Holmes and Salaman.
Folio 7, 43% Vol.
The seventh release in The Macallan Archival Series looks at one of our legendary advertising campaigns from 1986, ‘The Boffins Baffled’, which tells the story of a group of scientists who were completely baffled when asked why The Macallan is so special. A beautiful and delightfully whimsical interpretation of the story of our extraordinary whisky, which slumbers patiently in sherry oak casks.
Rare Cask Collection
Rare Cask 2024 Edition, 43% Vol.
The Macallan Rare Cask Collection goes back many years and is a annual release. Since as a limited Edition older ones aren’t available anymore, here are mentioned the last three releases. This 2024 Edition, crafted from 16 hand-selected casks that have an intense sweet sultana note paired with an incredibly rich, smooth complexity, has a completely natural deep ruby mahogany colour, an intense sweet sultana flavour and a rich, velvety mouthfeel.
Rare Cask 2023 Edition, 43% Vol.
This Rare Cask 2023 Edition is a distinctive single malt whisky made from unique oak casks that have an intense, sweet sultana flavour profile and an incredibly rich and smooth complexity.
These hand-selected sherry-matured oak casks are a rare and special discovery to preserve the full-bodied character of The Macallan, unearthed by the Whisky Mastery team in search of the exceptional.
Rare Cask 2022 Edition, 43% Vol.
Rare Cask is made from oak casks that have an intense, sweet sultana flavour coupled with an incredibly rich, smooth complexity. These hand-picked casks are a rare and special discovery.
Classic Cut
Classic Cut 2024 Edition, 52,4% Vol.
The Macallan Classic Cut Collection goes back many years and is a annual release. Since as a limited Edition older ones aren’t available anymore, here are mentioned the last three releases. The 2024 Edition was bottled at 52.4% vol. and has notes of vanilla, tropical fruit and lemon. A multi-sensory myriad of dynamic and evolving flavours are revealed with the addition of water, opening the doors to the Classic Cut universe. This whisky is anything but classic.
This exceptional single malt has been matured in a combination of sherry, matured European and American oak and ex-bourbon casks. Notes of rich vanilla, citrus peel and sweet oak on the nose before revealing baked custard, sweet green apple and vanilla on the palate.
Classic Cut 2023 Edition, 50,3% Vol.
The 2023 edition explores dynamic, multi-sensory dimensions inspired by the whisky's unique flavours, while the addition of ‘a cut’ of water opens up a new sensory world from pear to almond biscotti. This exceptional single malt matured in a combination of American ex-bourbon oak and European sherry oak casks.
Classic Cut 2022 Edition, 52,5% Vol.
Matured in a unique combination of casks with two different types of wood, this special single malt exudes aromas of European and American oak that combine to create a unique taste experience. With a pronounced grapefruit flavour, this whisky underlines a wide range and complexity of aromas. The two types of wood complement each other wonderfully and offer a journey through taste, aroma, colour and texture.
Colour Collection (Travel Retail)
Colour Collection 12 Years Old, 40% Vol.
The collection is a tribute to The Macallan's commitment to Natural Colour and Sherry Seasoning. The Colour Collection 12 Years Old presents a single malt whisky matured in American oak casks, harmoniously complemented by a subtle touch of European oak.
The oak casks used for The Macallan Colour Collection 12 Years Old are matured with sherry wine from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. This exceptional single malt is the youngest whisky in the collection and the one with the lightest natural colour. It has a golden oak colour and tastes of sweet oak, lemon and vanilla.
Colour Collection 15 Years Old, 40% Vol.
The collection is a tribute to The Macallan's commitment to Natural Colour and Sherry Seasoning. The Colour Collection 15 Years Old presents whisky matured in American oak casks, perfectly complemented by a subtle addition of European oak. The oak casks used for The Macallan Colour Collection 15 Years Old are matured with sherry wine from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. With aromas of citrus, vanilla and baked peaches, the whisky has a natural beech colour - the result of the harmonious collaboration of our new spirit and the exceptional oak casks over the years.
Colour Collection 18 Years Old, 40% Vol.
The collection is a tribute to The Macallan's commitment to Natural Colour and Sherry Seasoning. The oak casks used for The Macallan Colour Collection 18 Years Old are matured with sherry wine from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. With aromas of vanilla, milk chocolate, orange and honeycomb, the whisky has a natural, chestnut brown colour - the result of the harmonious interaction of our newly produced spirit and the exceptional oak casks over the years.
Colour Collection 21 Years Old, 43% Vol.
The collection is a tribute to The Macallan's commitment to Natural Colour and Sherry Seasoning. The oak casks used for The Macallan Colour Collection 21 Years Old are matured with sherry wine from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. With aromas of tropical fruits, coffee, hazelnuts and dark orange chocolate, the whisky has a natural, warm bronze colour - the result of the harmonious interplay of our newly produced spirit and the exceptional oak casks over the years.
Colour Collection 30 Years Old, 43% Vol.
The Collection is a celebration of The Macallan's commitment to Natural Colour and Sherry Seasoning. The oak casks used for The Macallan Colour Collection 30 Years Old are seasoned with sherry wine from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. With flavours of tropical fruits, almond, cinnamon, nutmeg and crystalised lemon peel, the whisky is a natural, deep chestnut colour - the outcome of our new make spirit and exceptional oak casks working harmoniously together over the years.
About the author
Daniela Rek
Whisky enthusiast and nerd. In the whisky game since 2016 and still diligent about exceptional drams. Continuously uncovering the depths of tasting notes of each whisky, bringing whisky closer to anyone interested and informing about whisky topics is a hobby and a way of life.
To the author