The Macallan Scotch whisky brand is known worldwide for offering several ranges of single malt scotch whisky that are rare and old. These bottles often go for a significant premium at auction, going well above the projected bidding price. Adding to this already exclusive line is The Macallan Red Collection.

 The Macallan Red Collection is “a carefully curated selection of ongoing aged expressions and high aged guest releases.” The complete set of six whiskies is anchored by The Macallan 40 Years Old, The Macallan 50 Years Old, and the Macallan 60 Years Old, all of which “are the oldest ongoing expressions ever offered by The Macallan and will be available in limited quantities globally.” These bottles are joined by two further highly aged bottles at 71 Years Old and 74 Years Old. The sixth and final bottle in this collection has matured for 78 Years. These scarce single malts are among the world’s oldest Scotch whiskies, with The Macallan 74 Years Old and The Macallan 78 Years Old being the oldest bottlings ever released in the brand’s history.

It is noted about all of these, by the brand, that “distilled decades ago, in The Macallan’s signature curiously small copper stills, each peerless expression in The Red Collection has been matured in The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks under the watchful eye of several generations of whisky makers. Over time, these astonishing single malt whiskies have slowly been shaped and influenced by the carefully selected casks to deliver exquisitely aged whiskies.”

“Created from some of the world’s oldest and rarest casks, it is an incredible privilege to have crafted The Red Collection, the pinnacle of The Macallan’s portfolio,” said Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan. “It’s thanks to the foresight of previous custodians of The Macallan, who laid down and aged these extraordinary casks, that we have been able to curate such a remarkable selection of whiskies.

Regarding the use of “red” in the title of the collection, it harks back to the significance of the colour throughout the illustrious history of the brand. The red thread began with Alexander Reid, the farmer and teacher who founded The Macallan in 1824. His surname meant ‘the red one’ in Scots and was originally associated with red hair.

 Each bottle comes in an oak presentation box created from the same European oak used to craft The Macallan’s oak casks. The boxes are upholstered with soft red leather from Scottish supplier Bridge of Weir Leather.

 “Each precious drop offers a unique opportunity to explore The Macallan’s whisky making legacy,” says Campbell. “The incredible elegance and rich flavours of the expressions that form The Red Collection are a direct result of the craftsmanship, knowledge and skills nurtured by our master whisky makers, past and present.”