Coming from one of Scotland’s first distilleries to be legally licensed, The Macallan Edition No. 2 embodies the brand’s rich history and centuries of experience. Join us on a journey back in time to the brand’s past and understand why The Macallan is one of the greatest whisky producers today.
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In 1824 Scotland, when all the other barley farmers had been distilling whisky in the area for centuries from surplus crops during the quieter winter months, barley farmer and school teacher Alexander Reid approached the Earl of Seafield with a grand vision of establishing a dedicated distillery. This wasn’t considered a conservative move at the time, but Reid was determined to realise his plans. By the time the facility was up and running, it was one of the first fully legal and licensed distilleries in Scotland.
Several hardworking owners, a long line of prized brews and a couple of centuries later, The Macallan distillery is recognised as a global manufacturer of whiskies famed for its product quality above all else.
The Macallan’s curiously small spirit stills are credited with the distinctively rich, fruity “new make” spirit of The Macallan. Their unique size and shape give the spirit maximum contact with the copper, helping to concentrate the new make spirit and provide the viscosity and rich, fruity, full-bodied flavours so characteristic of The Macallan. There are fourteen of these curiously small stills crafted from copper, each holding an initial charge of 3,900 litres. These brilliant stills and their exceptional brewing capability are so famous that they have even appeared on the back of a Bank of Scotland GBP10 banknote!
The Macallan doesn’t stop merely at having stills that produce the best spirits. Further along the brewing process, the distillers take a very small portion, or cut, from the spirit stills, which exemplifies the distillery’s character. It is a prime reason for the full-bodied richness of The Macallan’s new make spirit. The clear, colourless spirit is at an average 63.5% alcohol by volume. This distinctly robust new make spirit is full of character and is the starting point for all Macallan.
Fully realising that 80 percent of the flavour of a whisky is derived from the cask it is matured in, The Macallan invests a great deal of resources in maturing its stills. As a result, The Macallan’s oak casks are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, natural colours and distinctive aromas and flavours of The Macallan. The master distillers know exactly which cask is needed to produce certain taste notes. Spanish sherry-seasoned oak casks deliver flavours and aromas of chocolate orange, dried fruits and spices; American sherry-seasoned oak casks primarily provide sweet citrus, light spice, vanilla and light oak flavours and aromas; American bourbon-seasoned oak barrels give flavours and aromas of sweet citrus, coconut and oak.
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The Macallan Edition No. 2
The latest fruit of The Macallan’s tried-and-tested distilling savvy, The Macallan Edition No. 2 is a creative collaboration between Bob Dalgarno, the brand’s master whisky maker and the three Roca brothers, co-founders of El Celler de Can Roca, twice named best restaurant in the world.
The Macallan Edition No. 2 recently made its debut in the Indonesian market and in the short time following its launch in February 2017, it has received loud praise and is quickly becoming whisky connoisseurs’ favourite spirit.
Colour
Golden Syrup
ABV
48.20%
Nose
Treacle, ginger, toffee apples and rich fruits. Layers of vanilla open into tropical fruits and subtle green wood.
Palate
Warm with spice as cracked black pepper and cloves join with hints of chocolate, brown sugar, oak and nuts. Finally, liquorice and brandy snaps come through.
Finish
Full, slow, warm and wonderfully viscous.
