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9th February 2022 |
The Macallan
The Reach 81 Year Old was matured
in a single sherry cask and is the
oldest ever release from the distillery.
 The
Macallan has just unveiled The Macallan
The Reach 81 Year Old, the oldest whisky
ever released by the distillery. Adding
to the incredible rarity of this release
is the fact that it was distilled in
1940 during World War II, a time when
very little whisky was being distilled
in Scotland, even The Macallan was
compelled to close its doors for the
first time in its history during WWII
but not before The Macallan The Reach 81
Year Old was laid down to rest for over
8 decades.
At 81 years old, The Reach is amongst
the rarest of the rare whiskies ever
released anywhere, it was matured for
over 8 decades in a single sherry
seasoned oak cask which incredibly
produced 288 decanters after 81 years
which have been bottled at 41.6% ABV.
There must have been some very tight
grain in the cask for the angels not to
have finished off and for the ABV to
have remained above 40% ABV.
As you would expect for such a rare dram
it is exquisitely presented, the dark,
precious whisky is encased in an
exquisite decanter created from
mouth-blown, hot glass, cradled on a
bronze sculpture of three hands.
Each hand represents characters in The
Macallan’s history and their unique
story. One commemorates the Distillery
workers of 1940 who crafted the spirit
into existence, in challenging times,
over eight decades ago. Another is the
hand of one-time chairman, Allan Shiach,
whose grandfather headed the company
when this remarkable spirit was first
consigned to its cask. The third is that
of today’s Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen
Campbell, who carefully selected the
1940 cask used to create The Reach,
deciding that now was the time to share
this precious whisky with the world.
Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker,
The Macallan, 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 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.
"Its deep auburn hue is the first hint
of this remarkable whisky’s astonishing
depth. Offering notes of dark chocolate,
sweet cinnamon and aromatic peat,
leading on to treacle toffee, crystalised
ginger and charred pineapple, before
giving way to an intensely rich, sweet
and smoky finish."
Sculptor Saskia Robinson created the
timeless sculpture featuring three
hands, producing countless drawings from
every perspective before working in a
physical medium. The veins, nails and
skin detail are recorded in
extraordinary accuracy, modelled on an
artist's impression of a hand of one of
those original stillmen. The sculpture
is cast in bronze and the glimmer of the
metal contrasts beautifully with the
dark amber whisky.
The surface of the glass decanter
features subtle indentations that match
the fingerprints of the bronze hands
which support it, while a beautiful
cabinet crafted using wood from a fallen
elm tree, which is thought to have been
on The Macallan Estate in 1940, houses
the decanter.
A film has been created by renowned
London-based photographer Nadav Kander
working closely with his art director,
Matt Willey, who was previously the art
director at The New York Times Magazine.
Featuring original music composed and
recorded by Scottish band Mogwai,
recently shortlisted for the prestigious
Mercury Prize, it tells the story of The
Macallan’s legacy and the collaborative
process behind The Reach.
As I said this is a limited edition of only 288 decanters
worldwide, The Reach will be on display
at The Macallan Estate Boutique from 9th
February 2022 and later in The Macallan
domestic and travel retail Boutiques.
As you could well imagine you will need
deep pockets or a lottery win if you want to taste this
one with a RSP of $125,000 / £92,000 /
€110,000.
You will find this and other special
release Macallan whiskies as well as the
current Macallan whisky range available
from specialist online whisky retailers
such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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The Macallan The Reach 81 Year Old Review
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Producer's Tasting Notes:
Nose:
Dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon, aromatic
peat, plums, leather, pink grapefruit,
redcurrant jelly and a rich resinous
note.
Taste:
Treacle toffee, bramble jam, liquorice,
crystalised ginger, nutmeg, charred
pineapple, pecans, woodsmoke.
Finish:
Intensely rich, sweet and smoky.
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