History and Evolution
I want to tell you about how The Macallan grew over the years. In the beginning, from 1824 until about 1900, it was very small. In 1824, they got the first licence and made their very first legal spirit. Then, in 1892, they installed a big copper pot still, so they could make more whisky and keep it tasting the same every time.
In the 20th century, The Macallan changed again. In the 1920s and 1930s, they built more warehouses and started using special sherry oak casks from Jerez in Spain. This is what gave The Macallan its famous rich, fruity flavour. Later, in the 1980s, under a new chairman named Allan Shiach, they began paying extra care to how long and where they matured their whisky, making it even more premium and exclusive.
Moving into the modern era, around 2000 to now, The Macallan made big steps forward. In 2018, they opened a brand-new distillery and visitor centre costing £140 million. It was designed so they could make more whisky but still keep their old-style small stills and eco-friendly methods. Then in 2020, they released a special limited edition called MMXX or Classic Cut 2020, bottled at higher strength to show off the natural colour and flavours of their best casks.
Where It’s Made
The Macallan estate is about 390 acres beside the River Spey, in a place called Craigellachie. The soft, slightly peaty water from the river is very important for cooling the mash and helping the yeast work during fermentation. For a long time—right up until 1967—they even did the floor malting themselves, which helped them control exactly how the barley sprouted and taste more unique. Today, they still use two of the smallest copper stills in Scotland, so their new spirit is very rich and full of flavour.
How They Make It
Barley and Malting
They start with local winter barley. Long ago, they malted it on the floor at the distillery, but now they buy it from special maltsters who follow The Macallan’s exact requirements.
Mashing and Fermentation
The malted barley is ground up and mixed with Speyside spring water to turn its starch into sugary liquid. This liquid ferments in old wooden tubs for about 60 hours, making a wash with about 8 % alcohol.
Distillation
They distill this wash two times in tiny copper pot stills. The first run makes a “low wine,” and the second run makes the spirit. The distiller cuts very carefully between the heart (the good part) and the tails, so only the best flavours go into the casks.
Cask Selection and Maturation
Casks shape The Macallan’s taste. They use three main types:
- Sherry-Seasoned Oak from Jerez, Spain: European and American oak barrels that soaked up Oloroso sherry for up to 18 months.
- Double and Triple Cask: Blending American and European oak to balance sweet vanilla and spicy oak.
- Gentle Warehousing: Casks travel by land and sea carefully, then rest in old stone-floored warehouses so they age slowly and evenly.
From growing the oak trees to filling each barrel with new spirit, the process takes about six years. The Macallan also supports sustainable oak forests to make sure they always have the best wood.
Ownership and Legacy
Since 1999, a company called the Edrington Group has owned The Macallan. They helped the brand shine by releasing rare bottlings, creating custom casks, and turning the distillery into a must-visit place. The visitor centre’s wave-like roof and glass walls let you see every step—from barley to bottle—showing how The Macallan blends old-fashioned tradition with new ideas.
