The Macallan Unveils Two New Mackintosh-Inspired Malts

“The Tree of Life” and “Art is the Flower” celebrate craftsmanship, design, and rare single malt excellence

The Macallan pays tribute to the legacy of Scottish design icon Charles Rennie Mackintosh with two striking new single malts: The Macallan The Tree of Life and The Macallan Art is the Flower. Each expression is a masterwork of maturation and artistic storytelling, drawing inspiration from Mackintosh’s visionary aesthetics and deep connection to nature. Both releases are limited editions and showcase the distillery’s continued commitment to innovation, rarity, and design.

A Fusion of Art and Whisky: Design and Presentation

The Tree of Life is presented in a bespoke Lalique crystal decanter, crowned with a rose-shaped crystal stopper—an homage to Mackintosh’s famous 1902 stained glass work, The Spirit of the Rose. Only 112 decanters are available globally, accessible by invitation only, adding to its exclusivity.

Art is the Flower reflects Mackintosh’s European influence and floral motifs. It will be available from May 6, 2025, at The Macallan Estate and high-end retailers including Harrods, The Whisky Shop, and Berry Brothers & Rudd.

Cask Maturation and Flavor Complexity

The Tree of Life is a 46-year-old single malt, distilled in 1979 and matured in Sherry-seasoned oak casks. Bottled at 46.2% ABV, this whisky delivers a vibrant and layered profile, with rare notes only achievable through decades of aging.

The Macallan Art is the Flower features hand-selected European oak Sherry casks, delivering the signature richness of the wood and fruit notes at a robust 50.4% ABV.

Insights from the Creators

Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan, shared her vision for The Tree of Life:

“This exceptional 46-year-old single malt, selected to mark the age that Mackintosh reconnected with nature, offers a unique, vibrant and complex expression of The Macallan matured in Sherry-seasoned oak casks.”

“Tropical fruits charred over smouldering peat embers are balanced with complex wood spice. Notes of antique oak... evoke Mackintosh’s unique designs crafted from wood.”

Whisky Maker Steven Bremner added about Art is the Flower:

“To truly capture a spirit that depicts Mackintosh’s essence and inspiration, we had to draw upon our own artistry... European oak was key as it delivers beautiful oak notes, spices and dried fruit, but crucially also delicate notes of fruits that bear their own blossoms.”

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Tasting Notes

The Macallan The Tree of Life

Tropical fruits over smouldering peat embers
Complex wood spices
Antique oak with deep sherry character

The Macallan Art is the Flower

Raisins and figs
Polished oak, cherries, and almonds
Delicate floral fruit notes

With their artistic narratives, exceptional cask selection, and uncompromising craftsmanship, these two limited editions stand as powerful expressions of The Macallan’s reverence for both whisky making and the world of design.

About the author

Spiritory Team

Spiritory is a team of dedicated Whisky, Rum and Spirits Enthusiast. Our passion for the product, craftmanship and art of producing the finest spirits in the world will be represented in every article we write on our blog-page. Our goal is to produce content which is interesting to read and for a broad base of consumers, enthusiasts, investors and collectors.