The Macallan Time Space Collection – A Journey Through Time Travel

The Macallan Distillery, renowned for its extraordinary single malt whiskies, has unveiled the Macallan Time Space Collection. This remarkable release celebrates the distillery’s bicentennial milestone—200 Years Young. Featuring two unique expressions that explore the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and heritage, the Time Space Collection introduces a journey through time travel, encapsulating the essence of The Macallan’s past, present, and future.

The Legacy of The Macallan and Time Space Collection

Released on 3 September 2024, the Time Space Collection was launched to celebrate The Macallan’s rich history and its interpretation of time travel. This innovative collection is designed with a dual chamber vessel that showcases two exceptional whiskies: one, vintage from 1940, bottled at an astonishing 84 years old, and the other, the first-ever release from the new Macallan Distillery, distilled in 2018 and bottled at just 5 years old. Each expression within this collection pays tribute to the brand’s tradition while embracing the future of whisky craftsmanship.

Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan, shared her excitement: “It was an absolute privilege to select stock from the 1940s to honor and celebrate our 200th anniversary. The concept of time travel resonates deeply with our work, where we blend the legacy of the past with the innovation of the present and future.” Her sentiments highlight the importance of continuity and evolution in whisky mastery, a hallmark of The Macallan.

The 1940 Vintage – A Historic Tribute

The Macallan Time Space Collection includes a 1940 vintage, meticulously matured for 84 years. This whisky represents The Macallan’s mastery of long-term aging, housed in the outer chamber of the vessel. With an ABV of 43.6%, this remarkable expression captures the essence of history through the careful selection of two sherry-seasoned casks—an American oak butt and a European oak butt—seasoned in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, and matured in Speyside, Scotland. These casks imbue the whisky with a deep, natural color and an extraordinary flavor profile.

This vintage showcases layers of sherry-soaked dried fruits, orange marmalade, Medjool dates, and sweet baked figs enveloped by rich milk chocolate. The sensory experience is profound, highlighting the mastery of Kirsteen Campbell and her team at The Macallan, who honor the legacy of past whisky makers while paving the way for future generations. The whisky has a nose rich with dark chocolate-coated ginger, sticky dates, and hints of antique oak, leading into a palate brimming with charred pineapple, baked peaches, and a long finish of toasted oak.

The 2018 Vintage – A Nod to the Future

The central chamber of the Macallan Time Space Collection vessel holds a 2018 vintage—a significant milestone as the first whisky distilled at The Macallan’s new state-of-the-art distillery. This expression, bottled at 54.9% ABV, symbolizes the brand’s dedication to continuing its legacy while embracing modern innovation.

Kirsteen Campbell and her team took precise measures to ensure the continuity of The Macallan’s signature taste during the transition to the new distillery in 2018. This younger expression provides a glimpse into the future of The Macallan. It offers vibrant notes of fresh green apple and ripe pears on the nose, leading to rich layers of sticky toffee, vanilla custard, and soft wood spice. The palate is equally compelling, with golden sultanas, baked apples, and a hint of lemon and lime, delivering a medium, creamy finish that highlights the brand’s commitment to excellence.

The Macallan Time Space Mastery

In addition to these two exceptional releases, The Macallan has introduced Time Space Mastery, a whisky that embodies the brand’s 200-year journey through fourteen extraordinary cask types. This single malt combines diverse influences from European oak sherry-seasoned casks, American oak sherry-seasoned casks, bourbon casks, and refill casks. The result is a whisky with unmatched complexity, showcasing the depth of The Macallan’s inventory.

Euan Kennedy, Lead Whisky Maker at The Macallan, describes Time: Space Mastery as a “celebration of the craft of whisky mastery,” featuring the elegance of European oak at its core. He explains, “We have drawn from the breadth of our warehouses to create layers of complexity in aroma, texture, and flavor, highlighting the intricate art of whisky making.” With its aroma of Medjool dates, sweet baked figs, and rich milk chocolate, this expression unfolds on the palate with notes of sherry-soaked dried fruits, orange marmalade, and honeycomb, leading to a finish with caramelized pineapple and subtle hints of dark chocolate.

A Symbolic Vessel – Craftsmanship and Artistry

The vessel designed for the Macallan Time Space Collection blends ancient craftsmanship with cutting-edge engineering. The dual-chamber vessel, encased in an oak sculpture, symbolizes the Macallan’s past and future. The use of alternating layers of American and European oak pays homage to the brand’s dedication to sherry-soaked oak casks, which are integral to the flavor profile of its whiskies.

A vibrant red presentation case, adorned with 200 spikes representing the bicentennial year, signifies how nature protects what is precious to The Macallan. The intricate details of the vessel draw from the art of origami, reflecting the distillery’s deep connection to nature and its continued quest for excellence.

Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan, stated, “The introduction of Time Space Collection is an incredible way to pay respect to our 200th anniversary by celebrating the significance of those who have come before us while also looking ahead. It symbolizes anticipating what is to come, building upon our heritage.”

The Global Campaign and Availability

A global marketing campaign accompanies the release of the Macallan Time Space Collection. Launched on 8 October 2024, the campaign includes high-impact 3D outdoor billboards in major cities like Las Vegas, London, Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. This immersive campaign showcases two hero films, taking viewers through a world where time flows, and nature protects what is most valuable.

Potential buyers must receive an invitation from The Macallan to secure a bottle from this extraordinary collection. The price remains upon application, emphasizing the exclusivity of these rare expressions. The Time: Space Mastery will be available through The Macallan Society Ballot, which is open to members in the UK and Europe, further enhancing its exclusivity.

Tasting Notes

Time: Space (1940 Vintage)

• Nose: Dark chocolate-coated ginger, sticky dates, hints of antique oak, and a touch of aromatic peat.
• Palate: Charred pineapple, baked peaches, and sweet woodsmoke flavors evolve into crystallized ginger and blackberry jam.
• Finish: A long, lingering finish with notes of dark chocolate and toasted oak.
• ABV: 43.4%

Time: Space (2018 Vintage)

• Nose: Green apple and ripe pears, transitioning to sticky toffee and vanilla custard.
• Palate: Golden sultanas and baked apples paired with buttery pastry and hints of lemon.
• Finish: Medium finish with creamy vanilla and a touch of sweet oak.
• ABV: 54.9%

Time: Space Mastery

• Nose: Medjool dates, sweet baked figs, and rich milk chocolate layered with hints of tropical fruits and sweet oak.
• Palate: Sherry-soaked dried fruits, orange marmalade, and honeycomb with a touch of spice.
• Finish: Caramelized pineapple, creamy vanilla, and dark chocolate create a harmonious and balanced experience.

A Journey Through Time

The Macallan Time Space Collection is more than just a celebration of a bicentennial milestone; it is a journey through time, encapsulating The Macallan’s mastery and innovation over 200 years. The Macallan invites connoisseurs to experience a unique blend of past and present by intertwining the brand’s heritage with the promise of future excellence. This is not merely a collection but a symbol of the brand’s timeless dedication to craftsmanship.

For further information, visit The Macallan website and join The Macallan Society to explore the stories behind the whiskies and exclusive offerings.