In the last 200 years, the world saw momentous inventions like the telephone, the light bulb, and automobiles. But for whisky lovers, the year 1824 marks the beginning of The Macallan Distillery.
Founded by barley farmer and school teacher Alexander Reid, the distillery’s name took root from the word “Maghellan”, taken from the Gaelic word “magh” meaning fertile ground, as well as “Ellan”, from the monk St.Fillan, who held a close association with the church that stood in the grounds of The Macallan Estate until 1400.
Fast forward to today, the storied single malt Scotch whisky distillery is celebrating its 200th anniversary at Clarke Quay Warehouse B. Happening from September 7 to 22, The Heart of The Spirit is an immersive experience that pays homage to The Macallan’s past 200 years as a prologue for everything that is to come.
Visitors will be whisked away on a journey through the past, present, and future of the distillery. They can look forward to tasting The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old by the dram, which will be served during the immersive virtual segment for a multi-sensory experience, as well as a bespoke cocktail crafted specially for the celebrations at the bar. Guests will also be able to purchase bottles at the end of their journey.
The Past
Begin with a tribute to the brand’s pioneers, their contribution and dreams, as well as the people and stories that have made The Macallan what it is today. Through tactile exploration and interactive activities, visitors will explore key moments of the 200-year history. Brought to life by acclaimed visual artist Javi Aznarez and award-winning Scottish poet Jenni Fagan, the experience will feature illustrations and poetry.
As part of the wider campaign, a limited-edition book, with 1000 units available worldwide, will be released later this year. Crafted by Jenni Fagan and Javi Aznárez, the work of art will be featured at The Heart of The Spirit experience. It will showcase the 200 poems, beautiful illustrations, and footnotes, reflecting a wealth of stories and memories gathered since 1824.
The Present
Coming back to the present moment, the journey continues as guests explore The Macallan universe through an immersive digital experience featuring animation, sound design, and specialist projection techniques. Illustrations by Javi Aznarez have been animated to tell this tale, while whispers from the brand’s past, present, and future are narrated by Jenni Fagan. As guests explore the brand’s story, they will be presented with a tasting of The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old, the iconic sherry-seasoned oak whisky.
The Future
Guests will celebrate The Macallan’s future, a blend of respect for nature and human creativity, with a bespoke cocktail specially crafted to honour its legacy. A celebration in a glass, this exquisite creation marries the rich, complex notes of the brand’s signature sherry-oak whisky with a harmonious blend of natural ingredients, only available at The Heart of The Spirit experience.
THE MACALLAN’S LIMITED-EDITION CREATIONS
Travel through time and discover The Macallan’s whisky mastery through new creations presented in bespoke vessels crafted through cutting edge engineering and ancient craftmanship. These limited-edition releases embrace 200 years of history, making them one-of-a-kind releases paying homage to the craft of the whisky makers. Each features layers of complexity with incredible depth of aroma, texture, and flavour.
Tickets to The Heart of The Spirit by The Macallan, is priced at $48 each.
