Macallan

Ltd. Edition 1946 Macallan Albert Watson Edition to Sell for $16,000

Filed under: Spirits, Art

Missed out on the the 64-year-old Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue recently auctioned off at Sotheby's for a record breaking $460,000 (the world's most expensive bottle of whisky)? You can still get your hands on some equally precious elixir via an ultra-exclusive limited edition bottling from the famed Speyside distillery as part of its upcoming Albert Watson collaboration. Priced at $16,000 apiece, the offering stems from the Macallan's Masters of Photography series. Only 36 bottles of the rare single malt Scotch distilled in 1946 will be available early next year along with a one-of-a-kind platinum print from Watson's project.

If that's still out of your reach, you might still be able to lay claim to the regular but also quite special Albert Watson Masters of Photography bottling, above – a new, limited-edition 20 year old single malt priced at $1,000 apiece, of which only 1,000 bottles are being produced. Watson's images depict a young couple as they travel the path the wood used in the distillery's whisky casks takes as it moves from the Spanish forest to its "spiritual home on Speyside".

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Albert Watson, Macallan, photography, Scotch, Scotland, single malt, The Macallan, whisky

Holiday Gift Guide: Wine And Spirits Gift Packs

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Wings

Let's face it, the hour is nigh. Time is running out, and most likely patience and gifting creativity are following close behind. Don't fret, as these holiday gift packs have both brilliant packaging and a coveted payload contained within. Grab one and declare Holiday Shopping 2010 over.

Dom Pérignon Side By Side ($600)

Two bottles, two vintages. A Vintage 1996 and a Oenothèque 1996, both contained in one handsome case. Two birds, one stone. Next.

Tags: Ardbeg, dom perignon, gift packs, holiday gift guide, holiday gift guide 2010, macallan, Rare Wine Co., spirits, wine

Continue reading “Holiday Gift Guide: Wine And Spirits Gift Packs”

The $1.5 Million Macallan Ultimate Single Malt Experience

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

If you missed out on the world's most expensive bottle of whisky – the 64-year-old Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue which was just auctioned off at Sotheby's for a record breaking $460,000 – not to worry: for $1.5 million you can make that look like a mere bagatelle. Glossy chronicle of the filthy rich Robb Report is offering the ultimate single malt experience in conjunction with The Macallan as part of this year's Ultimate Gifts offerings, featuring a journey to the the Macallan estate in Scotland to select eight extremely rare single malt Macallan whiskies barreled during each of the last eight decades for your personal collection. The experience begins with a first-class flight to Paris and a two-night stay in the Presidential Suite at the ultra-luxe Four Seasons George V, during which you'll take a chauffeured Bentley to meet with the crystal artisans at Lalique to create the custom decanters that will house the whiskies.

A private jet and helicopter will then take you to the Macallan estate for a two-day consultation to select the whiskies from barrels dating back to the 1930s. Once the decanters are completed they'll be filled with the precious elixir and delivered in a bespoke cabinet from royal furniture maker Viscount David Linley. David Cox, Macallan's director of fine and rare whiskies, calls it nothing short of "a liquid history of Macallan," noting, "You'll be drinking whiskies distilled by The Macallan before the Second World War, each with quite a distinctive style."

Tags: Bentley, David Linley, Four Seasons George V, gifts, Holiday 2010, Lalique, Macallan, Paris, private jet, Robb Report, Scotland, single malt, The Macallan, whisky

Rarest Macallan Bottle Fetches Record $460,000 At Sotheby's Auction

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions

A bottle of Macallan 64-year-old scotch, housed within a Lalique crystal decanter, far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $100,000-with a winning bid of $460,000-at Sotheby's in New York, this week.

With all proceeds of the sale going to benefit charity: water, the one-of-a-kind bottle, made by Lalique using the cire perdue ("lost wax") method, did a multi-city charity tour before the final event in New York. Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water, spoke before the auction of the idealism behind his organization and the impact that the evening's sale would have on helping to bring clean water to communities in developing countries. He then handed the microphone off to Sotheby's Head of Wine in the US and Asia, Jamie Ritchie, to perform the auctioneer duties.

A gentleman in the crowd eagerly placed the opening bid, sparking a cascading ping-pong of responses from around the room. Bidding quickly passed the $300,000 mark, with phone bidders setting the tone, outpacing most on-hand. Ritchie kept the mood light, cracking an "Only $5?!" joke when a Sotheby's rep asked if he would accept an increase of $5,000 from a potential buyer on the phone. Reminding everyone that the evening's sale would support a good cause, Ritchie broke the $400,000 barrier to a delighted response of the crowd. With everyone's mind wondering if the lot would reach the half-million mark, bidding slowed around $450,000 before finally settling on $460,000. Giving everyone one last chance, Ritchie brought the gavel down to mark the record sale, which went to an anonymous US bidder.

Tags: auctions, charity water, lalique, macallan, new york city, scotch, sothebys, whisky

The Macallan Master Class Whisky Tastings

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Events, Charity

The Macallan is one of a handful of distilleries whose single malts consistently rank above the rest. Tasting one is always a treat and a lesson in delicacy. Now the Macallan is coming to a city near you to hold Master Class Whisky Tastings.

Master classes present a unique opportunity to learn about whiskies and their intricacies. This fall Macallan will be hitting Chicago (Oct 15), Denver (Oct 22), San Francisco (Oct 30), Los Angeles (Nov 5), New York (Dec 4) and Boston (Dec 10).

Over the course of the two-hour event, participants will sample a broad range of Macallan expressions, including the Sherry Oak 12, Fine Oak 15, Fine Oak 17 and Sherry Oak 18, as well as the Fine Oak 21, Sherry Oak 25, Fine Oak 30 and a surprise cask strength bottling as well. Visit celebratethemacallan.com for information and tickets, proceeds from which will go towards the Charity:Water foundation.

Source

Tags: celebrate the macallan, charity:water, macallan, master class, the macallan, whisky tasting

The New Black Grouse Whisky from Famous Grouse

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Just in time for the fall season, The Famous Grouse is coming out with a great new blended Scotch whisky with plenty of peat smoke in it, a welcome antidote to those weedy, watery blends we're usually beset with.

Deriving its name from the rare bird, Black Grouse is meant to be "the darker side of The Famous Grouse," the well-loved whisky that holds a Royal Warrant from the Queen of England.

The new bottling is a blend of Famous Grouse, which contains Macallan and Highland Park, married with some peaty, smoky Islay malts in oak casks, making for a rich, smooth spirit with plenty of character.

To celebrate the launch, Tinika Green and Andrew Duncan of New York's gourmet barbecue joint Blue Smoke have created a special cocktail dubbed the Black and Blue, which has been added to the eatery's drink menu for the season.

"The Black Grouse's flavor profile pairs well with the hints of sweetness in different barbecue rubs and sauces," notes Jason Krantz, Blue Smoke's Chef de Cuisine. "As we head into the fall, the smoky flavor combination of The Black Grouse and succulent barbecue will really warm the soul."

Check out the drink recipe and image after the jump, but be sure to try the whisky, which is priced at $28.99 for a 750ml bottle, with just a little ice or water as well for the full effect.

Tags: Blue Smoke, cocktails, Famous Grouse, Highland Park, Macallan, Queen of England, Royal Warrant, Scotch, whisky

Continue reading “The New Black Grouse Whisky from Famous Grouse”

World's Most Expensive Whisky to be Auctioned in November

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Auctions, Charity

The world's most expensive bottle of whisky, a one-of-a-kind crystal Lalique decanter holding the oldest and rarest Macallan single malt ever (above), will be auctioned off by Sotheby's in New York on November 15 for an estimated $150,000 or more. The Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue, which we previewed back in April, is filled with 64 years and older Macallan single malt Scotch, vatted together from three sherry seasoned Spanish oak casks. The famed Speyside distillery commissioned the legendary crystal artisan to create the decanter using the ancient "cire perdue" or "lost wax" method. Painstakingly hand crafted by Lalique exclusively for The Macallan, and inspired by the beauty of The Macallan's 150 hectare estate in north-eastern Scotland, it's based upon a ship's decanter of the 1820s. Proceeds from the historic sale will be donated to charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: auction, charity, charity: water, crystal, decanter, Lalique, Macallan, Scotch, Scotland, single malt, Sothebys, The Macallan, whisky, worlds most expensive

The Macallan Launches Albert Watson Edition [Video]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Art

Famed Speyside distillery The Macallan has announced the second photographer tapped to collaborate on its limited edition Masters of Photography series – Scottish-born Albert Watson, whose nudes of Kate Moss fetch astonishing prices at auction. Following the form of the storied single malt's Rankin Edition, the Watson bottling's labels will feature examples of the master's work commissioned specially for the project, shot on various locations around the globe. The exact theme of the project is being kept under wraps for now, but we've been told that the the key elements include "a dramatic and yet romantic 'art noir' voyage, a stylish couple and the key secret behind The Macallan Single Malt." Check out this video from the first stages of the shoot documented on The Macallan Blog by Director of Malts for the Edrington Group, Ken Grier.

Tags: Albert Watson, macallan, photographer, photography, Rankin, Scotch, Scotland, whiskey, whisky

Lalique Cire Perdue: Oldest Macallan Ever Bottled to be Auctioned for Charity

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Auctions, Charity

Famed Speyside distillery The Macallan and legendary crystal artisan Lalique have produced a one-of-a-kind decanter, created by the ancient "cire perdue" or "lost wax" method, holding the oldest and rarest Macallan ever bottled. The Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue decanter, created to celebrate the 150th René Lalique's birth and containing a 64 years old Macallan single malt whisky, will be auctioned off by Sotheby's on November 15, 2010 in New York. All proceeds from the sale, which is expected to top $75,000, will be donated to charity: water, a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. For the next eight months, The Macallan in Lalique: Cire Perdue decanter will travel around the world from Paris to New York via Madrid, London, Moscow, Seoul, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Taipei, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. The Cire Perdue decanter was designed and painstakingly hand crafted by Lalique exclusively for The Macallan, inspired by the beauty of The Macallan's 150 hectare estate in north-eastern Scotland.

The decanter is based upon a ship's decanter of the 1820s, the decade in which The Macallan was founded, and features a beautifully engraved panorama of The Macallan estate by the river Spey. The 64 years old Macallan has been vatted together from three casks, all built from sherry seasoned Spanish oak. The first was filled in 1942, the second in 1945 and the third in January 1946, from which the age of this great Macallan has been taken. Prior to the release of this 64 years old Macallan in the Cire Perdue decanter, the previous oldest Macallan released by the distillery was the 60 years old, distilled in 1926 and bottled in 1986, of which only forty bottles were ever produced. The lost wax process is an ancient practice originally developed to cast large pieces in bronze. After first modeling a piece in wax, it is covered with plaster and then sent to the oven to bake the clay while the wax melts. Finally, molten crystal is poured in the emptied shape.

Tags: crystal, decanter, Lalique, Macallan, Scotch, Scotland, single malt, Sothebys, The Macallan, whisky

$11,000 Single Malt & More in Bonhams Whisky Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Auctions

An extremely rare $11,000 bottle of over 50 year old Glenfiddich single malt Scotch headlines the uncommon offerings in Bonhams' Whisky sale set for Edinburgh, Scotland on March 3. The coveted Glenfiddich was bottled in 1991 from rare casks filled in 1937 and 1939 distilled by William Grant & Sons Ltd., and comes in a wooden presentation cabinet. Also sure to draw fierce bidding are two rare bottles of The Macallan in special decanters, a 55 year old expected to fetch up to $10,000 and a 50 year old that could go as high as $6,500. Other highly-prized Macallans on offer include a Select Reserve 52 year old ($4,000) and two bottles of the 1938 vintage ($2,500). In addition a collection of six very special Springbank single malts (above) - 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 year old - is being sold as one lot carrying an estimate of up to $6,500.

Tags: Bonhams, Glenfiddich, Macallan, Scotch, Scotland, single malt, SingleMalt, The Macallan, TheMacallan, whisky

The Macallan 1824 Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Among Scotch drinkers The Macallan sets a gold standard, so news that the famed Scotch distillery is launching a new family of single malts is sure to be welcomed with thirst and enthusiasm. The Macallan 1824 Collection includes four distinct expressions; each one, created by the Master Whisky Makers, showcases the spectrum of flavors and aromas associated with the beloved distillery. The four expressions of the The Macallan 1824 Collection - Select Oak, Whisky Maker's Edition, Estate Reserve and 1824 Limited Release - ranging in price from $53 to $2,000, were created by John Ramsay, Master Blender Emeritus for parent company The Edrington Group, and Bob Dalgarno, The Macallan's Whisky Maker, who between them have over 50 years of experience. The most precious is The Macallan 1824 Limited Release ($2,000, available in October), bottled at 48% and drawn exclusively from sherry seasoned Spanish oak casks which have been solely grown, cared for and crafted for this bottling.

Tags: Macallan, Scotch, Scotland, The Macallan, TheMacallan, whiskey, whisky

Macallan 50-Year-Old Sells High At Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Auctions

When it comes to whisky, the rare vintages always seem to find a buyer. Case in point, a Macallan 50th anniversary bottle which recently sold for £11,750 at auction in Glasgow, Scotland. The bottle, which contains whisky from three casks distilled between 1926 and 1928, sold to a private collector from California at McTear's auctioneers. It is the most expensive bottle sold at auction this year and the most expensive 50-year-old bottle of Macallan ever sold.

The bottle was part of an auction of collectible whiskies on August 5 that saw 574 lots reach almost £155,000,the largest sale of its kind in the world. Other top lots included a 60-year-old Royal Brackla for £3,800 and a limited edition 1965 bottle of Ardbeg, which sold for £3,000. The Macallan Anniversary 50 year old was one of over 60 Macallan lots in the sale. McTear's Rare and Collectible whisky sale is held quarterly in Glasgow.

[via BBC News]

Source

Tags: auction, glasgow, macallan, vintage whisky, VintageWhisky, whisky

Macallan Fine & Rare Vintage 1947

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

The latest release from legendary single malt The Macallan is a Fine & Rare Vintage 1947 edition (right), of which only five bottles will be available in the entire United States.

The price has not been announced, but it's estimated at around $7,000 a bottle, judging by the last time any Macallan of this vintage appeared on the market.

The 15-year-old whisky, originally bottled in 1963, was purchased from a noted Scotch collector by Macallan, founded in 1824, to present this special offering.

The Macallan Fine & Rare 1947 was aged in Spanish Oak sherry casks and features notes of citrus fruit, chocolate and vanilla, woody spice, peat and smoke.

In November, my colleague Deidre Woollard wrote about the Macallan's Rankin Edition, a collaboration with the famed Scottish photographer of that name.

Tags: Macallan, Scotch, Scotland, Single Malt, SingleMalt, Whisky

Harrods' $7,500 Holiday Hamper

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Spirits, Wine

Famed deluxe London department store Harrods came out with the ultimate holiday hamper this season, described as the "very best money can buy." Only eight of the extravagant Chairman's Choice hampers were made available by special order at about $7,500 apiece. Presented in an exclusively designed, limited edition handmade basket with leather trim, the hamper's contents include fruit, flowers, farmed smoked salmon, a truffle ham, half a Stilton cheese, double cream brie, and of course heaps of Beluga caviar. Drinks-wise, there's 30-year-old Macallan single malt Scotch, Krug champagne, Hennessy cognac, and several bottles of wine including the famous Chateau d'Yquem.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Caviar, Champagne, Harrods, Hennessy, Holidays, Krug, London, Macallan

The Macallan Rankin Edition

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Art

Scottish whiskeymaking and Scottish photography combine with the launch of The Macallan Masters of Photography Rankin Edition. Rankin is a famed Scottish photographer and he was chosen to Easter Elchies House, the "spiritual home of The Macallan." He spent a summer interpreting the The Macallan Estate through his camera lens. The result is 1,000 unique bottles of The Macallan Fine Oak 30 year old single malt whisky each bearing an original Rankin image, captured on Polaroid. Since Polaroid was discontinued this year,The Masters of Photography represents the end of an era. The black-and-white pictures include artistic studies of the lovely Tuuli, Rankin's muse, shown on this bottle, as well as pictures of Easter Elchies House, shots of craftspeople at the distillery, and still life images of the surrounding flora and fauna at the estate. Each bottle comes in a black leather box lined with velvet and containing an original Rankin Polaroid. Each bottle will have an individually printed label which matches the specific Polaroid contained within the box and a booklet of authenticity signed by Rankin. Each bottle sells for around $1,300.

[via Brand Republic]

Source

Tags: macallan, photography, rankin, scotland, whisky