The Macallan Distillery is located at Craigellachie, in the county of Moray on a hilltop with the most beautiful view over the River Spey. The distillery has for many years been known for storing their whiskey in the finest oloroso casks. Only approx. 1% of the barrels they have at their disposal are approved for further use. And since the casks determine the quality of the whiskey by approx. 60%, it certainly makes a lot of sense. In 2004 Macallan introduced the "Fine Oaks" series, which was also aged in Bourbon casks. The series became a global success for the distillery.
The Macallan whiskey is an easily accessible and very smooth malt, in a sweet and slightly smoky style. The whiskey is distilled on stills that are significantly smaller than the usual ones, because the small Pot Stills give the whiskey more contact with the copper and give it a richer, fuller and fruitier taste. These devices are so well known that you can see them on the back of a Scottish £10 note. It is then aged in sherry and bourbon casks. Only 16% of the whiskey is moved from cask to bottle, to ensure that only the best of the best is sold.
In the last 10 years, Asia has started to buy Macallan, and this has been largely reflected in the prices. In 2018, the world's most expensive whiskey ever was sold for approx. DKK 7 million during an action in Edinburgh in Scotland. The extremely expensive whiskey from 1926 went under the hammer at Bonhams Whiskey Sale. The whiskey has the distinguished name 'Macallan Valerio Adami'. Although only 12 bottles of whiskey were made with Valerio Adami artwork on the label, it is not known how many of the bottles still exist.
According to rumours, one of the famous whiskey bottles was destroyed in connection with an earthquake in Japan in 2011, and it is also said that one of the bottles has actually been opened and drunk. It must have been a heavenly experience.
You can read much more on Macallan's own website here
