Whiskey Tales of the Macallan Vol. 2 - The Macallan

 Tales of The Macallan Volume II is a tribute to Alexander Reid, the visionary founder of The Macallan. Published in the 200th anniversary year, this edition pays tribute to Alexander Reid, who, as a teacher, farmer, and distiller, laid the foundation for the exceptional quality that characterizes The Macallan. In 1824, Alexander Reid founded the distillery on Easter Elchies Estate. Convinced that small stills produced better flavor and more intense character, he bucked the trend of the time toward larger stills. This small-still philosophy remains one of the six cornerstones and a defining characteristic of the new distillery today. This second edition of the prestigious Tales of The Macallan series is a collection that captures the stories of The Macallan's pioneers and the defining moments that shaped the house's history. Distilled in 1949 and bottled in 2022, this exceptional whisky was selected at the peak of its maturation and is presented in a handcrafted, custom-made Lalique crystal decanter, which pays homage to Alexander Reid's journey from teacher to farmer and distiller. The decanter is adorned with engravings of Andrew Davidson's illustrations, while the accompanying book contains expertly illustrated chapters by the artist, telling Reid's story and the evolution of The Macallan. Limited to 344 bottles worldwide.

 Type: Whisky
 Origin: Scotland
 Alcohol Content: 44.8%
 Age: 73 years
 Format: 70cl with Gift Box

 Tasting Notes: Bronze color. Aroma: Fruity berries, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla notes, oak, fresh herbs, and nuances of toffee. Flavor: Dark cherries, plum jam, dark chocolate oranges, pudding biscuits, cloves, and tea leaves. Long, complex, sweet, and lingering smokiness.

 The Distillery: The Macallan is located on the western bank of the River Spey, near the town of Aberlour, on an old estate of 158 hectares, 37 of which are dedicated to growing barley. Inside, we find Easter Elchies House, a manor house built in 1700 that embodies the classic style of Highland homes of that period, which the Macallan adopted for the distillery's logo. Founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, a local farmer, under the name Elchies Distillery, it remained under the control of the Reid family until 1858, when it was acquired first by James Shearer Priest and James Davidson, and then, in 1968, by James Stuart. The distillery's turning point came in 1892 when Roderick Kemp, an Elgin wine merchant and former Talisker distiller, purchased it, expanded it, and changed its name to Macallan-Glenlivet (the Glenlivet suffix was removed in 1980). Kemp managed to steadily expand the distillery on the market with excellent results, laying a solid foundation for both the spirit and the Macallan brand and reputation. In 1950, a long program of modernization and expansion of the distillery began, following continued and growing market demand. By 1970, Macallan had tripled its production to over 4.5 million liters per year, with a steady increase in stills from 6 in 1965 to 21 in 1975.