The Macallan unveils 46YO Tree of Life whisky
Edrington-owned The Macallan has launched two single malts inspired by Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh, including a 46-year-old whisky.
Honouring nature’s beauty and inspired by Mackintosh’s 1902 stained-glass panel The Spirit of the Rose, The Macallan’s new The Tree of Life Collection features two limited edition single malt whiskies.
The 46-year-old The Tree of Life by The Macallan is the rarer of the two releases, limited to 112 Lalique decanters globally.
The whisky was drawn from two Sherry-seasoned casks laid to mature in 1979.
Said to represent a key moment in Mackintosh’s life, the 46-year-old release pays tribute to the artist’s retreat to the countryside, where he took a break from architecture at the age of 46 to reconnect with nature and create some of his finest art.
The rare whisky rests in a Lalique crystal vessel finished with a crystal rose stopper inspired by The Spirit of the Rose, and enveloped in a sculpture inspired by the intricate metalwork of Mackintosh’s architecture.
Kirsteen Campbell, master whisky maker of The Macallan, said: “This exceptional 46-year-old single malt, selected to mark the age that Mackintosh reconnected with nature, offers a unique, vibrant and complex expression of The Macallan matured in Sherry-seasoned oak casks.
“Tropical fruits charred over smouldering peat embers are balanced with complex wood spice. Notes of antique oak are characteristic of higher-aged expressions from The Macallan and evoke Mackintosh’s unique designs crafted from wood, in Scotland, many years ago.”
Bottled at 46.2% ABV, The Tree of Life is available through invitation from The Macallan, with price available upon application.
Art is the Flower
The second release in the collection, The Macallan Art of the Flower, was inspired by Mackintosh’s depictions of nature in architecture and art, namely his interior design piece, The Spirit of the Rose.
Paying tribute to Mackintosh’s time in Europe, the release presents naturally developed flavours derived from Sherry-seasoned European oak casks, including notes of raisin and fig, polished oak, cherry, and almonds.
Steven Bremner, whisky maker of The Macallan, commented: “To truly capture a spirit that depicts Mackintosh’s essence and inspiration, we had to draw upon our own artistry.
“We had the freedom to tap into our entire inventory, identifying casks that have reached their peak maturation, which added an extra layer of character and complexity. European oak was key as it delivers beautiful oak notes, spices and dried fruit, but crucially also delicate notes of fruits that bear their own blossoms.”
The collection’s launch is accompanied by short documentary-style films celebrating the connection between art and nature.
Jaume Ferras, creative director of The Macallan, commented: “The Macallan and Charles Rennie Mackintosh share a reverence for nature, a guiding force in artistry and craftsmanship, and this is showcased within The Tree of Life by The Macallan across both releases.”
The Macallan Art is the Flower is bottled at 50.4% ABV and will be available from 6 May 2025, directly from the distillery as well as luxury retailers such as Harrods and select whisky specialists, including The Whisky Shop and Berry Brothers & Rudd.
Earlier this year, The Macallan released Folio 8 in the US, followed by a global travel retail launch in April.
Earlier this month, the Speyside distillery unveiled the latest instalment in its Distil Your World range, celebrating the flavours of Hong Kong.
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