For discerning whiskey fanatics

Text. Britta Rossander

The Macallan has just released its most exclusive series of single malt ever. The Macallan Red Collection is now launched in Sweden in two rounds. On 4 February The Macallan Red Collection 40YO was released and sold out at lightning speed. On 4 March it is time again, then The Macallan Red Collection 50YO is released. Eqotime's Britta Rossander tells us more.

The bottles are delivered in beautiful boxes made of the same type of oak that is found in Macallan's casks.  ”The wardrobes” are lined on the inside with red leather from Bridge of Weir Leather. Known for making interiors for among others  Aston Martin, DeLorean, Maclaren and Jaguar's luxury cars.

The series is an homage to the brand's history with the red colour that has been along since Alexander Reid founded it in 1824. Reid is Scottish and means ”The Red One”. The prises on these drinks are breathtaking. Macallan Red Collection 40YO cost 140 000 kronor and the 50YO will cost 465 000 kronor via Systembolaget.

The price difference lies in the limited supply and that there are 10 years difference with in maturity. A quick bit of mental arithmetic gives that the additional ten years raise the price by 32 500 kronor/year. The exact number of bottles that will come to Sweden is not confirmed but it is likely to be a very limited number.

Oldest series so far

This is their oldest and most exclusive series so far. And as custom dictates it is the red colour that is the red thread. The drops in the Red Collection has been distilled in pot stills where the flavours have then been allowed to mature in oak casks under strict supervision.

The bottles we now see, Macallan 40 Years Old, Macallan 50 Years Old together with Macallan 60 Years Old are the trio and the heart of The Red Collection. But there are actually other fine vintages too like Macallan 71 Years Old, Macallan 74 Years Old and Macallan 78 Years Old. Vintages that are the oldest from the house.

”The whisky for the Red Collection is created in some of the world's oldest casks. And it is thanks several to generations of whisky masters who laid the foundation that we  can bring out these fantastic vintages, says Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker, Macallan. A position that she is the first woman (since 2019) ever to hold.

The red thread

The red colour has been the signature colour for The Macallan since Alexander Reid founded the brand in 1824. Reid was a farmer and teacher worked and his surname was a description of his hair colour.

The red colour became extra important in 1903 when the then owner Roderick Kemp launched The Macallan Choice Old Range. When he was to ship bottles with that whisky they were given big red text so that nobody would get it wrong.

In 1980, when the until then three oldest Macallan vintage bottles were launched, the then boss, Allan Shiach, tied a red ribbon around the coveted bottles. All so that they would be seen even better. Ahead of that launch the Spanish artist Javi Aznarez also created a film about the three gentlemen Alexander Reid, Roderick Kemp and Allan Shiach's story. He also designed unique labels with portraits of them.

A set of all six bottles of the series with illustrations by Javi was sold at Sotheby’s in London in collaboration with the charity organisation City Harvest London last autumn. The hammer fell at 756 400 pounds!

The Macallan Red Collection 40 Years Old

Colour: Antique gold

Aroma: Orange and grapefruit together with dark chocolate. Antique oak with wood spices, figs and poached pears


Palate: ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla


Finish: long with a hint of wood smoke.

The Macallan Red Collection 50 Years Old

Colour: Vintage oak

Aroma: Antique oak, soft leather, light flowers, rich cocoa and dark cherries with ginger

Palate: Warm combination of dried fruit and wood spices, which goes towards dates and dark chocolate, orange oil as well as sultana raisins .

Finish: Rich and complex with a long taste of raisins, dates and crème brulée.