The Macallan unveils The Reach, a single malt whisky crafted during the Second World War. The Reach was laid to rest in the 1940 before The Macallan was compelled to close its doors for the first time in its history. Only 288 decanters are available worldwide.
The deep auburn whisky is 41.6% ABV. It has a nose of dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon, aromatic peat, plums, leather, pink grapefruit, redcurrant jelly and a rich resinous note. On the palate there are notes of treacle toffee, bramble jam, liquorice, crystallised ginger, nutmeg, charred pineapple, pecans and woodsmoke. The finish is intensely rich, sweet and smoky.
The rare 81 years old single malt is the oldest whisky The Macallan has every released. It is crafted from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask. The dark whisky is encased in an exquisite decanter created from mouth-blown, hot glass, cradled on a bronze sculpture of three hands that was created by Sculptor Saskia Robinson.
Each hand represents characters in The Macallan’s history and their unique story. One commemorates the Distillery workers of 1940 who crafted the spirit into existence, in challenging times, over eight decades ago. Another is the hand of one-time chairman, Allan Shiach, whose grandfather headed the company when this remarkable spirit was first consigned to its cask. The third is that of today’s Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell, who carefully selected the 1940 cask used to create The Reach, deciding that now was the time to share this precious whisky with the world.
The veins, nails and skin detail are recorded in extraordinary accuracy, modelled on an artist’s impression of a hand of one of those original stillmen. The sculpture is cast in bronze and the glimmer of the metal contrasts beautifully with the dark amber whisky. The glass surface features subtle indentations that match fingerprints of the bronze hands which support it. A beautiful cabinet crafted using wood from a fallen elm tree houses the decanter.
A film created by renowned London-based photographer Nadav Kander and art director Matt WIlley features original music composed and recorded by Scottish band Mogwai and tells the story of The Macallan’s legacy and the collaborative process behind the Reach.
For any enquiries and price on asking, please reach out to The Macallan at Raffles Hotel Singapore at 8351 3449.
