The Macallan is celebrating two centuries of exceptional drams with a little help from its friends. Namely, the fine folks at Bentley Motors who have lent their expertise in automotive excellence to create one of the most unique whisky vessels on the market.
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It would almost be an insult to term what The Macallan and Bentley Motors have created a ‘bottle’, with the duo crafting a dynamic horizontally oriented vessel; the 180° twist demonstrating a visionary approach to product design and reflecting the forward-moving trajectory of the automotive world. The collaborative vessel also nods to The Macallan’s foundational Six Pillars, with six core materials used in its creation.
With its horizontal positioning challenging conventions of traditional whisky bottling, the vessel takes shape in glass, a material intrinsic to both the heritage distillery and marque. An aluminum ribbon envelops the glass, as a homage to the key material used in the foundation and bodywork of a Bentley vehicle. The sculptural vessel is then lined in chestnut-toned low carbon leather before being surrounded by a recycled copper frame composed of copper from stills previously used by the distillery and precision engineered to seamlessly encase the vessel. It is then sealed with an oak wood closure, crafted from one of the six casks used in the maturation of the whisky within and inspired by the aesthetics of the Bentley Drive Dynamic Control rotary dial. Finally, the sculptural vessel is finished with Bentley’s Crown Cut Walnut veneer.
The striking vessel is an apt creation for the liquid it encases — namely, The Macallan Horizon. Conceived by master whisky maker Kirsteen Campbell, the bold single malt comes from six first-fill sherry seasoned oak casks and has been specifically created to reflect the singular spirit of a Bentley motorcar. In liquid form, that translates to indulgent dried fruits and spices, balanced with oak and leather (naturally!) on the nose, teasing an equally rich palate of dark treacle, crystalised ginger, and charred pineapple with hints of vanilla and fudge, with a lasting finish that mirrors the marque’s enduring designs.
In a final nod to the lucky number six that stretches through this collaboration (The Macallan’s Six Pillars, six materials, six casks), The Macallan Horizon is bottled at 46.6% ABV.
The finely tuned liquor is available in strictly limited quantities from select beverage retailers as well as in The Macallan airport boutiques around the world, with each bottle of Bentley x The Macallan Horizon priced at $50,000USD (approx. $76,500AUD).
Words by AR Staff
