The Macallan's Ultra-Rare New Whisky Is the Distillery's Most Innovative Release Yet
Created in partnership with a legendary British automaker, the Scotch maker's new bottle might be worth its lofty price tag.
The Macallan has released its latest five-figure bottling, The Macallan Horizon, in partnership with iconic British automaker Bentley. The new offering blends together the companies' best characteristics: luxury and quality.
The Macallan is no stranger to expensive Scotch. In January, the brand released a bottle priced at $89,000. Back in October, it unveiled the $14,000 Fine & Rare 1997. And just over two years ago, it launched the 81-Year-Old The Reach for $125,000. So rolling out a whisky priced at $50,000 is nothing new for the single malt empire based in Speyside, Scotland. Yet The Macallan Horizon remains unique, even in a sea of expensive Scotch.
Much of the hullabaloo surrounding The Horizon comes from the unusual bottle itself, which lies horizontally within a sculpture. A copper and wood frame (made from recycled stills and whisky barrels, respectively) is lined with low-carbon leather, twisting around the glass bottle, which is locked in place by an aluminum ribbon—a nod to the material used in the sculptural foundation and bodywork of a Bentley car.
Related: The 15 Best Scotch Whiskies of 2024
The whisky itself was crafted by The Macallan master whisky maker Kirsteen Campbell, who was inspired by a trip to Bentley Motors in Crewe, England. She crafted the single malt’s flavor profile through a combination of six first-fill sherry-seasoned oak casks.
The whisky offers aromas of oak, plums, dates, and dark cherries, alongside notes of leather and herbs that lead to sweet cinnamon and nutmeg with a hint of cloves. The rich palate delivers dark treacle notes with toffee, crystalized ginger, and charred pineapple, leading to sweet vanilla and fudge flavors that develop alongside whispers of brazil nuts and warming oak spice. The finish is long and complex with rich oak found throughout.
The Macallan Horizon doesn’t come with an age statement. Still, the price tag remains eye-popping, just like that sculpture. Bottled at 46.6 percent ABV, the limited-edition release is available for a suggested retail price of $50,000.
Courtesy of The Macallan
Related: We've Tasted Hundreds of Whiskeys. These Are the Best in the World