Limited to 700 bottles globally, the prized whisky is crafted in collaboration with Bentley Motors
It is still early in the year, but The Macallan is already kicking its 200th anniversary celebrations into high gear. The latest in what promises to be a year-long series of commemorative roll-outs is this exclusive bottling, The Macallan Horizon, created in partnership with Bentley Motors and priced at SGD$66,800.
An unprecedented tie-up with the British automobile company, The Macallan Horizon pays tribute to both brands’ ethos of traditional craftsmanship and forward-thinking innovation, expressed through a stunning vessel that houses an indulgent single malt.
“In the spirits world, everything is vertical, such as our stills and our bottles. When we looked at the horizontal plane that Bentley’s grand tourers occupy, it made us consider if and how we could adapt this format for whisky, which ultimately needs to be poured and enjoyed,” says Jaume Ferras, Creative Director of The Macallan, in a press statement.
The sculptural decanter is the star of the show, featuring a horizontally placed glass vessel that is a departure from regular upright whisky bottles. Besides the unusual profile, Bentley’s forthright luxury informs the rest of the bottle’s design, such as the aluminium ribbon wrapped around the decanter that nods to a key material used in its cars.
The Macallan’s spirit (pardon the pun) is also writ large on the design. The decanter comes in a sculpture made of low-carbon leather, held by a copper frame made of recycled metal from the distillery’s old stills. Meanwhile, the oak inlay is made from one of the casks that the whisky was matured in, and the look is inspired by the aesthetics of the Bentley Drive Dynamic Control rotary dial.
“The unique materials that have been incorporated are a testament to the incomparable craftsmanship, innovation, and creativity for which The Macallan and Bentley are renowned,” adds Ferras.
As for the single malt within, the spirit is crafted from six first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks selected from the stocks maturing in the warehouses at The Macallan Estate. Bottled at 46.6 per cent ABV, tasting notes include “cinder toffee, crystallised ginger, pineapple, sweet vanilla pods, and dark chocolate”.
The company explains that the concoction is derived from The Macallan’s Six Pillars concept—the foundational elements that define its character and exceptional spirit quality. These include the Macallan’s estate itself, the “curiously small” stills, its exceptional oak casks, the whisky’s natural colour, and the team’s dedication and savoir-faire.
