Macallan 71 Year Old Red Collection

Macallan 71 Year Old Red Collection: A Whisky Masterpiece Decades in the Making For whisky connoisseurs and collectors, the announcement of a new ultra-rare and ultra-aged expression from The Macallan is always an exciting event. The iconic Speyside distillery has done it again with the unveiling of the Macallan 71 Year Old Red Collection – a whisky over seven decades in the making that represents the absolute pinnacle of Macallan’s legendary craftsmanship.

Distilled in 1949 and matured for an astounding 71 years, this extraordinary single malt is the oldest Macallan ever released. It is the latest and most prestigious addition to the renowned Macallan Red Collection, which showcases some of the distillery’s rarest and most revered aged whiskies. With only 271 decanters made available worldwide, the Macallan 71 Year Old is a true collector’s item and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a liquid time capsule that connects us to Macallan’s storied past.

What makes the Macallan 71 Year Old so special? For starters, the whisky was distilled at a time when post-war rationing was still in effect in the UK, making high-quality spirit production extremely challenging. The fact that Macallan was able to not only produce, but also meticulously age this exceptional whisky for over seven decades is a remarkable achievement. During this unparalleled maturation period, the spirit developed extraordinarily complex and nuanced flavors, evolving from its original character into something entirely unique.

Bottled at a robust 43.8% ABV, the Macallan 71 Year Old delights the senses with an opulent and multi-faceted aroma. Notes of dried fruit, stewed plums, and rich, dark chocolate mingle with hints of oak, leather, and cigar box. On the palate, the whisky is velvety smooth, coating the mouth with flavors of ripe berries, baking spices, and a touch of earthy minerality. The finish is remarkably long and satisfying, leaving behind a lasting impression of elegance and refinement.

Presented in a stunning, handcrafted crystal decanter adorned with 71 facets to represent each year of maturation, the Macallan 71 Year Old is a true work of art. The decanter is housed in a stunning red leather case, complemented by a custom-made miniature bottle, a signed booklet detailing the whisky’s history, and a specially commissioned painting by Irish artist, Micheal Cartwright.

For whisky enthusiasts and collectors seeking the pinnacle of aged single malt excellence, the Macallan 71 Year Old Red Collection represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With its unparalleled age, impeccable provenance, and breathtaking presentation, this extraordinary whisky is destined to become one of the most sought-after and valuable releases in Macallan’s storied history. Act fast, as only 271 decanters of this legendary dram will ever be made available.

REFLECTING THE MACALLAN’S EXCEPTIONAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE

It is a deep respect for tradition and craftsmanship that has shaped The Macallan, from our origins to the present day.

This vision and dedication has shaped our practices for almost two centuries, and is realised in the release of our newest collection. The Red Collection is an exquisite range of distinguished and rare single malt Scotch whiskies, shaped by the actions of our founder Alexander Reid and key characters in our history, who have laid the foundations for our single malt today.

This collection celebrates the rich range of reds present naturally in every step of our process, it weaves its way through our history, and reflects our deep respect for tradition and craftsmanship. The Red Collection features a carefully curated selection of ongoing aged expressions and high aged guest releases.

THE HEART OF THE RANGE

At the heart of The Red Collection is The Macallan 40 Years Old, The Macallan 50 Years Old and The Macallan 60 Years Old. These remarkable single malts, which will anchor the range for years to come, and are the oldest ongoing expressions we have ever offered.

From time to time they will be joined by special high aged guest releases, commencing with The Macallan 71 Years Old, The Macallan 74 Years Old and The Macallan 78 Years Old. These incredibly rare single malts are among the world’s oldest Scotch whiskies, with The Macallan 74 Years Old and The Macallan 78 Years Old being the oldest bottlings ever released in our history.

Distilled decades ago in our signature curiously small copper stills, each expression in The Red Collection has been matured in oak casks under the watchful eye of several generations of whisky makers. Over time, these exquisite single malt whiskies have slowly been shaped and influenced by the carefully selected wood to deliver extraordinarily elegant aged whiskies.

CREATING THE WHISKY

Each of the ongoing releases in The Red Collection has been signed by Kirsteen Campbell, who was appointed Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan in 2019 and is the first woman to occupy the role in our history. Sarah Burgess, Lead Whisky Maker for The Macallan, has signed the initial guest releases.

“Created from some of the world’s oldest and rarest casks it is an

incredible privilege to have crafted The Red Collection, the pinnacle

of The Macallan’s portfolio.”

EXPLORE THE COLLABORATION

BROUGHT TO LIFE AGAIN

The three characters played a pivotal role in the history of The Macallan, and have been brought to life through an animated film created to introduce The Red Collection. We collaborated with celebrated Spanish painter and illustrator Javi Aznarez whose striking graphic art has featured in the Hollywood film ‘The French Dispatch’- the latest release by respected director Wes Anderson. Aznarez’s work was also instrumental in the storyboard development for the Hollywood film ‘Greta’ by director Neil Jordan in 2018. The animation is set to music performed by Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti, one of the world’s most influential classical artists of today.

A DEEP HISTORY

BEHIND THE COLOUR RED

The colour red has deep and long-standing significance for The Macallan. The red thread begins with Alexander Reid, the farmer and teacher who founded The Macallan in 1824. His surname means ‘the red one’ in Scots and was originally associated with red hair. Almost a century later, in 1903, owner of The Macallan, Roderick Kemp, launched The Macallan Choice Old range. It was reportedly shipped in cases labelled with distinctive red print to distinguish it from The Macallan’s existing whiskies, which were transported in packaging featuring black ink. And almost eight decades later, in 1980, red was to feature strongly in the release of The Macallan’s then oldest vintage, a 40 Year Old single malt whisky. Allan Shiach, owner-operator of The Macallan at that time, tied a red ribbon around the sought-after bottlings to denote their age and value.