The Macallan Releases Its Oldest Scotch, An 81-Year-Old Single Malt

If you’re a whisky lover, here’s a head’s up. The Macallan is launching The Reach, its latest single malt Scotch that’s been aged 81 years—making it the brand’s oldest release so far.

Previously, the brand’s oldest whisky had been a 78-year-old single malt, with the world record going to an 80-year-old Glenlivet last year. 

It now seems that the newest bottle will break records once again, though Food & Wine pointed out it’s the oldest whisky aged in a cask, not the age of the bottle.

According to Robb Report, this bottle first found its way into a sherry cask in 1940, with the lengthy eight decades contributing to its amber hue. It comprises myriad flavors, such as dark chocolate, peat, ginger, and a subtle smokiness. 

Aside from the whisky itself, the decanter it comes in is just as unique. The hand-blown glass vessel is held by a bronze-cast statue of three hands, representing the distillery’s workers, its former chairman Allan Shiach, and its last current master whisky maker, Kirsteen Campbell.

“It’s hard to put into words how truly special this whisky is,” Campbell told Forbes.

“The expression encapsulates the spirit of The Macallan and the timeless nature of our mastery and craftsmanship.” 

Of course, the oldest whisky to hit the market won’t come cheap. Only 288 decanters will be available for sale, each costing a whopping US$125,000. 

[via Robb Report and Food & Wine, images via The Macallan]