Macallan The Reach 81 Year Old

This stunning 81-year-old whisky was distilled in 1940 and drawn from a single sherry-seasoned oak cask and is the oldest expression released by The Macallan to date.

The Reach was started in a bygone era and was born at a turbulent time for Scotch whisky and the world. The result is a homage to The Macallan’s history and the many hands that made the distillery’s whisky over the past eight decades.

Three bronze hands hold the mouth-blown decanter and represent master whisky-maker Kirsteen Campbell, former Macallan chairman Allan Shiach and, perhaps most importantly, the distillery workers of 1940. The bronze plinth and decanter are housed in a bespoke cabinet made from a fallen elm tree that was planted in 1940 on The Macallan Estate.

This single malt is austere and complex, with a well-incorporated and subtle smokiness from the peat invariably used during this period. It is a deep auburn in colour and presents dark chocolate, leather and caramelised plum alongside treacle and ginger on the palate with a rich resinous finish. A true one-of-a-kind.