The color red knits through the history of The Macallan. It's present from founder Alexander Reid's surname—meaning "the red one" in Scots—to the scarlet found across many of its bottles and in its logo. To signify the color’s importance, the brand launched the Red Collection in 2020. The series features some of Macallan’s oldest and rarest single malts, and only so often do they add new bottlings. Thankfully, they’ve just added a new expression to the limited assemblage of precious juice: The Macallan Red Collection 73 Years Old.
The Red Collection currently features releases ranging from 40 to 78 years old, and includes three ongoing expressions—40, 50, and 60 years old—as well as occasional collaborations with creative partners. In the case of 73 Years Old, The Macallan once again partnered with Spanish painter and artist Javi Aznárez, who contributed a series of illustrations to help tell the story of the expression.
The whisky found inside the 73 Years Old dates back to 1950. It was matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks under the watchful eyes of several generations of whisky makers. On the nose, it offers an intricate medley of antique oak, apricot jam, licorice, and treacle tart, followed by notes of baked apple, nutmeg, and tropical fruits. The palate delivers dates, sweet woodsmoke, toffee, and a touch of fresh grass alongside fruit and a slight salinity reminiscent of Palo Cortado sherry. Soft tannins, subtle spice, treacle, and minerality continue through the finish.
The Macallan 73 Years Old comes in an oak presentation box made from the same European oak used for the whisky’s casks. The interior is upholstered with sustainably sourced red leather from Scotland’s Bridge of Weir Leather, whose products are commonly found throughout high-end cars from the likes of Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, and McLaren.
The 73 Years Old is available in limited quantities and the price can be provided upon request.
