The Macallan Red Collection, the distillery’s most sought-after collection of ultra-old single malt whiskies, has recently added another gem to its crown – The Macallan 73 Years Old.

Inspired by the significance of the colour red throughout the history of the brand, the Red Collection tells a story of a “red thread” that begins with Alexander Reid, the farmer and teacher who founded The Macallan in 1824. Reid's surname, meaning "the red one" in Scots, set the tone for a legacy that would later be further cemented in 1903 when proprietor Roderick Kemp launched the significant Choice Old range which was shipped in cases labelled with red print to distinguish it from other whiskies.

The Red Collection features some of the oldest and rarest whiskies ever released by The Macallan, with age statements ranging from 40 to 78 years. This includes three ongoing expressions of 40, 50, and 60 years, available annually, and occasional high-age "guest releases" that involve collaborations with creative partners. Until 2022, the Macallan 78 Years Old held the title of the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery.

Dating back to 1950, the Macallan 73 Years Old takes the spotlight this year as yet another old Scotch whisky to be released in the brand's history. 

Each bottle of The Macallan 73 Years Old is meticulously hand-finished, with the year of bottling, bottle number, and strength handwritten on the label. It also bears the signature of Euan Kennedy, the current Lead Whisky Maker at The Macallan.

Painter, Javi Aznárez (Source: Dutch Uncle Artist Management)

This guest release is a collaboration with renowned Spanish painter and artist Javi Aznárez, who has contributed a unique animation and series of illustrations to tell the story of the expression and the distillery's rich history.

(Artist: Javi Aznárez)

The packaging of The Macallan 73 Years Old is equally impressive. Each bottle comes in an exquisite oak presentation box crafted from the same European oak used for the whisky’s casks. Handcrafted in the United Kingdom, the box is upholstered with sustainably sourced red leather from the renowned Scottish supplier Bridge of Weir Leather. Inside, the bottle rests on an oak plinth made from repurposed cask end pieces that may bear warehouse marks or lettering, making each plinth a unique piece of The Macallan's heritage.

The Macallan 73 Years Old is available in limited quantities at The Macallan House Singapore, with the price provided upon request. For more information, visit https://www.themacallan.com/.

As with all releases in the Red Collection, the 73 Years Old is expected to be highly sought after by collectors and whisky enthusiasts alike.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team