The Macallan unveils The Reach single malt

The Macallan has unveiled its latest super-aged single malt whisky, The Reach.

Crafted during the Second World War and laid down to mature in 1940, it is the oldest whisky ever released by the brand at 81 years old. It follows a number of highly aged releases in The Macallan Red Collection, released in 2021. 

The Reach comprises liquid taken from a single sherry-seasoned oak cask, and comes presented in a decanter made from mouth-blown glass, cradled in a bronze sculpture with three hands. These hands represent the distillery workers who made the spirit; one-time chairman Allan Shiach, whose grandfather was leading the company when the spirit was filled into its cask; and The Macallan's current master whisky maker Kirsteen Campbell, who selected the cask.

Campbell said: "It is an honour to introduce The Reach. Created during a turbulent time in the world, this extraordinary expression showcases The Macallan's history, ingenuity and unmistakable strength of of character.

"The creation of many hands, The Reach has been a truly collaborative effort. It's also a tribute to the people who made this precious whisky, and their enduring spirit which never wavered."

According to Campbell, the whisky has a deep auburn hue, and offers notes of dark chocolate, cinnamon, aromatic peat, treacle toffee, crystallised ginger and charred pineapple.

The presentation of the whisky is also designed to celebrate artisanal Scottish creators. Sculptor Saskia Robinson made the bronze sculpture in which the decanter sits, and both decanter and sculpture are housed in a cabinet crafted with wood from a fallen elm tree, which is thought to have been on The Macallan Estate in 1940.

Just 288 decanters of The Reach (41.6% ABV) will be made available worldwide through The Macallan Estate Boutique and The Macallan domestic and travel retail Boutiques. The recommended sale price is US$125,000 / £92,000 / €110.000.

10 February 2022 - Bethany Whymark