The Macallan’s Timeless Collections of single malts have a new look this year, but the whiskies are familiar favourites. Lead whisky maker Euan Kennedy reveals to us the attention to detail that goes into their creation
Although The Macallan rightfully gains attention for its sometimes stunning limited-edition whiskies, it is its core range of single malts that remains the chief reason whisky connoisseurs return to the brand again and again. In particular, three recognised classics – the Sherry Oak 25 Years Old and 30 Years Old and the Double Cask 30 Years Old. Lead whisky maker Euan Kennedy, who joined The Macallan in 2022, says, ‘What I found amazing when I first joined was that a slogan such as “Acorn to Glass” is so true – the attention to detail at every step is what makes these whiskies so special…’
There are two parallel journeys, paths which eventually merge over time…
… And time is the key to these whiskies, of course. Kennedy points out, ‘What sets whiskies such as these apart is that they are from the last millennium. That number on the label puts it into a historical context. And it is also a statement of how the spirit has transformed over those years.’
By the time a whisky reaches a quarter or nearly a third of a century in age, it has been concentrated by time. Kennedy says, ‘The idea that we’re losing whisky to the angel’s share is a bit of a throwaway phrase. Really, ethanol is evaporating, the volume is reducing, but the flavours and aromas are intensifying.’
The Macallan Sherry Oak 25 Years Old
Before the spirit is maturing in cask though, the two elements have their separate journeys, one of which begins in fields of barley. The Macallan deals directly with farmers as well as the maltings to ensure they receive the raw material they want (‘We’ve worked with the same malters and many of the same farmers since before the current 25 Years Old and 30 Years Old whiskies were made. These are relationships that have stood the test of time and the proof is in these bottles.’).
For any whisky maturing for this time, that barley has to be turned into a new-make spirit that will endure. Kennedy describes The Macallan new-make as ‘brilliant for long ageing’. He explains, ‘In The Macallan whisky making team, we talk about perfect balance. We’re looking for an equilibrium between fruitiness (apples, pears, sweetness) and cereal. But, just as important is the texture, richness and robustness of that spirit, so it isn’t dominated by the effect of the wood over time.’
The journey that wood takes begins five years earlier, with the acquisition of oak to make barrels. ‘We season the cut wood in the open air rather than in a kiln, so it takes time.’ The Macallan is known for its sherry ageing. Again, the distillery has always worked closely with winemakers in Jerez, and the recent joint venture with Grupo Estevez, owner of bodegas such as Valdespino, takes the ability to control the seasoning of casks in even greater detail.
The Macallan works closely with winemakers and cooperages in Jerez, Spain
The secret of sherry-seasoned oak
Naturally, the Sherry Oak 25 Years Old and 30 Years Old benefit from the quality of the sherry and impart those deep, spicy Christmas cake flavours The Macallan has become known for. However, it might be surprising to know that the sherry seasoning serves more as a preparation for the wood than of the whisky. It is the choice of wood that can make all the difference, explains Kennedy: ‘In reality, the main proportion of those characteristics come from the oak itself. European oak, from northern Spain and France, is what gives you a huge amount of ginger, spice, dry fruit. The sherry adds a further layer of complexity, and smooths out any harsher, toasted edges of the wood.’
The Macallan’s Double Cask collection, culminating in the 30 Years Old, shows the importance of the wood, because it is assembled from whisky aged in both European and American oak casks. Not ex-bourbon barrels but new American oak, also sherry seasoned. Kennedy says, ‘The American oak gives you more citrus notes, sweetness, vanilla and – over time, even tropical notes, which is really special. Then what the sherry seasoning does to American oak is add a lovely depth of character and nuttiness.’
Once the new-make spirit fills these casks, one might assume they’re left alone for decades, but the attention to detail continues. ‘I think that the big surprise for me when I arrived at The Macallan,’ says Kennedy, ‘is just how hands-on we are in terms of quality, like looking at every single cask multiple times in its lifetime. For a distillery of our size, that’s rare, if not unique in the Scotch whisky industry. We’re hand-selecting the casks that go into each of our products, whether that’s the 25 or the 30 or the 12. It takes a team, and it takes an effort.’
Euan Kennedy, The Macallan’s lead whisky maker
Classic whisky; new look
When these whiskies are finally bottled, they are, from 2025, going into new-look packaging – simplified, cleaner-looking labels and smooth-shouldered bottles, with additional artwork by former Transworld Skateboarding and Ray Gun designer David Carson. Kennedy is a fan of the new look: ‘His medium is collage, and I like the synergy with whisky making – layering different materials to create complexity.’
At the end of all that, there is one more process The Macallan needs to go through… being poured and sipped. But when is that right moment? Euan Kennedy waxes philosophical: ‘What I love about whiskies like this is that they create the opportunity to contemplate time that’s passed, to reflect on what’s happened in the 25 or 30 years the whisky has been maturing. Often, people buy these whiskies to collect or to keep for a landmark occasion. But you never know if an opportunity to share it with someone will pass you by. It’s important to give yourself permission to create those moments to open a special whisky. For me, whisky can be far more than flavour; it can be about ideas, storytelling and emotion.’
The Macallan Sherry Oak 25 Years Old (£2,200); The Macallan Sherry Oak 30 Years Old (£4,900); and The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old (£4,200.00) are all available from Harrods; themacallan.com
