#Macallan whiskey tour full

Male: We're standing at the sample safe which collects all the new mixed spirits which goes forward for maturation. Favorite part of the job is probably seeing a vat coming out or a special bottle and thinking, 'Well, I've been involved in that.' And they're all breathing in this wonderful, soft, moist air here on Speyside. But hugely rewarding when it works.ĭavid: I'm sitting here in one of our oldest warehouses surrounded by these wonderful Spanish oak Sherry-seasoned casks. Male: Bringing Whisky together can be fun, it can be frustrating. We welcome people from all around the world.ĭavid: We are, in fact, one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland and the fame and the reputation of the Macallan has been founded from the very start on the quality of our wonderful, fine, single malt Whisky.īob: I'm Whisky maker for Macallan, welcoming you to our site. We've been here since 1824 when we were founded by Alexander Reid, a barley farmer.įemale: We are sitting in a house, which is, the spiritual home of the Macallan brand. Macallan is also known for its uniquely small spirit stills.Īt a capacity of 3,900 liters each they are some of the smallest in the industry, concentrating the alcohol extracted in the wash with high contact, for a fruity, rich new make.ĭavid: Hi, my name is David Cox, and I'd like to welcome you to the home of the Macallan.

#Macallan whiskey tour full

Their warehouses contain more than 170,000 casks, a majority being Spanish Sherry of European oak, but with many ex-Bourbon and American oak Sherry casks in the mix as well.Īt last report, 25 staff are employed full time, just to oversee the maturation of Macallan's stores. The Macallan distillery prides itself on the care with which it selects, maintains, and curates its casks.

Recently, construction for a new distillery was approved and, once open in 2017, it will make Macallan the single largest producer of malt Whisky. Highland Distillers acquired The Macallan in 1996, and were, in turn, taken over by the private equity Edrington Group in 1999. Whisky may have been produced on the site in unlicensed fashion, like many others prior to the Excise Act of 1823. Roderick Kemp bought Elchies in 1892, changing its name to Macallan-Glenlivet, beginning an era of prosperity that The Macallan continues to enjoy. The Macallan Distillery was founded in 1824, but not as The Macallan. Alexander Reid, a farmer and teacher, founded Elchies Distillery with a newly obtained distilling license. A beautifully managed property, Macallan's Whisky producing staff share their land with sheep and highland cattle.Īt the center of the estate is the Easter Elchies House, a highland manor built over three hundred years ago. The Macallan Distillery is on an estate spreading over 390 acres, bordered to the south and east by the river Spey.