Few names in the spirits world have garnered the level of reverence that people have for The Macallan. This year, the legendary Speyside distillery celebrates a remarkable 200 years in the game. And when you’re 200 years old, you can do whatever you want. Already debuting some impressive (and expensive) bottles of Scotch this year so far, such as a 73-year-old single malt that cost $89,000, The Macallan has now bested even its most expensive bottles with this new release.
For its jubilee, the distillery debuts TIME: SPACE, a dual-chamber vessel that costs a divorce-worthy $190,000. Let’s take a look at what makes this so unique.
A Bottle for the Ages
In unique fashion, TIME: SPACE features two distinct expressions rolled up into one. Housed in this flying saucer-looking decanter, limited to just 200 examples, the pair of whiskies includes the oldest ever released by The Macallan inside the outer ring and one of its youngest in the inner circle: one to represent the distillery’s past and one to signify the future. Displayed in an oak sculpture that combines American and European oak, the eye-catching bottle was “purposefully designed to accentuate the 100% natural color of the whisky.”
The Macallan’s Oldest Whisky Ever
First off is the 84-year-old single malt, a 1940 vintage bottled at 43.4% ABV after getting aged in a combination of first-fill American oak casks and second-fill sherry-seasoned European oak casks. If you’ve tasted any liquid from The Macallan before, you know this whisky will be a treat for the senses for anyone lucky enough to try it (although I’d imagine most collectors would probably save it in the bottle). Nonetheless, the distillery has described its tasting notes for us, which include a nose of dark chocolate-coated ginger, sticky dates, oak, and leather, leading to a palate of charred pineapple, baked peaches, crystalized ginger, hints of aniseed, blackberry jam, and sweet woodsmoke.
Old Meets New
Paired with the 1940 single malt is a rather young 2018 vintage Scotch, bottled much higher at 54.6% ABV. It’s also a single malt and has a nose of apple, pear, and vanilla custard, leading to a palate of golden sultanas, baked apples, and hints of lemon, lime, and vanilla.
Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell remarked on the barrel selection process: “For the 2018 vintage, the prospect of selecting a younger cask created a lot of excitement in the sample room; it is an opportunity to give others an insight into The Macallan’s future. This marked the first year of production in our new distillery, which is truly a significant moment to be cherished. Through a fusion of art and science, we have ensured the continuity of the character of our whisky.”
An Affordable Alternative
If you’re one of the few people who can’t justify paying $190,000 for a new pair of whiskies, then The Macallan provides a “cheaper” option for you. Along with TIME: SPACE, the distillery also offers TIME: SPACE Mastery, a $1,400 that was aged in a combination of 14 different types of casks. Presented in a similar-looking circular vessel, but with a donut hole in the center, this is a non-age statement single malt.
Spec Sheet
Age: 84 years
Vintage: 1940
Type: Single Malt
ABV: 43.4%
Tasting Notes: Charred pineapple, baked peaches, crystalized ginger, hints of aniseed, blackberry jam, and sweet woodsmoke
Age: 6 years
Vintage: 2018
Type: Single Malt
ABV: 54.6%
Tasting Notes: Golden sultanas, baked apples, and hints of lemon, lime, and vanilla
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 200 vessels, TIME: SPACE will be available to purchase through The Macallan by invitation only. However, TIME: SPACE Mastery will be available on the brand’s website. You can also snag a bottle at the TIME: SPACE Experience in NYC running from October 9 through 12.
Recap
The Macallan TIME: SPACE
For its 200th anniversary, Speyside legend The Macallan debuts its oldest whisky yet, an 84-year-old single malt presented in this futuristic disc vessel, along with a younger 6-year-old whiskey.
