Macallan debuts GTR-exclusive range

The Macallan has released its new Colour Collection, marking the return of age-statement whiskies to the brand’s global travel retail (GTR) offering.

The GTR-exclusive Macallan Colour Collection is a five-strong range that comprises 12-, 15-, 18-, 21- and 30-year-old single malts.

The brand said the range shows the natural tones derived from maturation in Sherry-seasoned oak casks.

The series was crafted predominantly from American oak casks, with a ‘subtle touch’ of European oak.

Jeremy Speirs, regional managing director of GTR for Macallan owner Edrington, said the line was released following “many years of development”.

The collection “allows travellers to explore our commitment to natural colour and the influence of Sherry seasoning in a rich and compelling way”, he noted.

The series also features a new visual identity to highlight The Macallan’s link to nature, inspired by the brand’s heritage and home at The Macallan Estate.

Kirsteen Campbell, master whisky maker at The Macallan, said: “Deepening in colour with age, each expression tells its own story and is a prism through which consumers can explore the unique characteristics which underpin the exceptional craftsmanship, renowned quality, and rich character of our single malt whisky.”

Colour Collection line-up

The 12-year-old offers an aroma of sweet oak and lemon peel with flavours of syrup sponge and orchard fruits. It is priced at £70/US$80.

The Macallan 15 Years Old (£145/US$165) provides a nose of vanilla toffee, candied orange peel and crystallised ginger, leading to a palate of sweet citrus pastry with creamy vanilla custard and baked peaches.

Meanwhile, the 18-year-old bottling brings a scent of clementine, panna cotta, baked apples with sultanas sweet oak, alongside flavours of vanilla sponge, milk chocolate with orange, citrus peel, oak and honeycomb. It is priced at £305/US$350.

The Macallan 21 Years Old (£965/US$1,100) has an aroma of crème brûlée, candied orange and lemon, sweet aged oak with caramelised pineapple, and a taste of tropical fruits, candied ginger, coffee creme, hazelnuts, dark chocolate orange and cardamom.

Finally, the 30-year-old single malt has a nose of pineapple, dried mango, caramelised banana, and crème brûlée with sweet aged oak and orange oil.

The palate carries flavours of tropical fruits with almond, a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg intertwined with creamy baked custard, and crystallised lemon peel. It is priced at £3,910/US$4,455.

The Colour Collection will be available in The Macallan Boutiques, in key airports and selected duty free locations around the world from September 2023.

The brand has also teamed up with US graphic designer David Carson, who took inspiration from Jerez in Spain, where the Sherry casks were crafted.

Carson and The Macallan have created a series of ‘immersive’ art exhibitions, which will be held in London, Shanghai, Dubai, Singapore and Los Angeles, allowing consumers to experience the elements that inspired the Colour Collection.

Earlier this month, Duty Free Americas teamed up with The Macallan to open the brand’s first shop-in-shop at Panama Tocumen International Airport.