THE MACALLAN EDITION NO.5; A CELEBRATION OF THE MACALLAN’S NATURAL COLOUR
INTRODUCING THE MACALLAN EDITION NO.5; A CELEBRATION OF THE MACALLAN’S NATURAL COLOUR
The Macallan have been in touch with details of their latest The Macallan Edition No.5 Single Malt. It’s refreshing to see how many premium whisky and whiskey brands around the world are now pivoting firmly to using only natural colour for their whiskies and gradually eradicating the use and yes, overuse of caramel colouring from the world of premium whisky.
So well done to The Macallan! Here’s what they say about Edition No.6.
The Macallan Edition No.5 – The Macallan®
The Macallan Edition No.5 is The Macallan’s homage to the diversity and complexity of natural colour. Inspired by a coming together of whisky making mastery and colour expertise and insight, this single malt celebrates both The Macallan’s commitment to natural colour and the intricate whisky making process.
We are surrounded by colour; it shapes our everyday lives. From defining moods, shaping perceptions, distracting thoughts and changing behaviour, it is a powerful force that can communicate without words.
100% natural in colour, all of the whiskies from The Macallan are shaped from time spent in the very best casks; maturing, nurturing and developing character. World renowned colour masters at the Pantone Color InstituteTM created a uniquely bold shade of purple; reflecting an enigmatic, multi-faceted and intricate combination of red and blue.
With The Macallan Edition No.5, it is the complexity and precision of the whisky making process which defines this colour creation; showcasing the infinite hues, creativity and expertise which harnesses the natural colour of The Macallan.
Sarah Burgess, The Macallan Whisky Maker, said,
“We can find much common ground between whisky making and colour creation and with Edition No.5 we have been able to explore and celebrate these two art forms. Whilst colour development starts with mixing basic colours with precision to achieve different shades, for whisky making, it is the knowledge and understanding of a specific palette of colours from the cask which is the starting point. From here we can craft the desired character and specific colour of the final whisky”.
Commenting on the collaboration, Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, said
“As the rainbow’s most complex colour, purple naturally felt like the ideal shade to highlight the equally complex process involved in The Macallan’s whisky making. This new vibrant shade developed for Edition No.5, brings to life the exquisite combination of distinctive natural hues found in this whisky”.
Only American oak casks were hand picked for this single malt, primarily for their colour in order to deliver a whisky with a wonderfully full flavour. The result is beautiful sunlit barley colour that is accompanied by an intriguingly intense flavour profile that hosts sweet notes of caramel and fresh fruit combined with oak spices.
The Macallan Edition No.5 Official Tasting Notes:
The character of Edition No.5 is defined by a complex flavour profile:
Aroma – vanilla and toffee merged with spices of oak, nutmeg and ginger with hints of lemon basil and pear
Palate – Buttery caramel moves into poached peaches and ripe pear
Finish – Sweetness with light, lingering oak spices
Edition No.5 will be available at specialist retailers, selected on-trade accounts, The Macallan boutique at Heathrow Terminal 5 and The Macallan Distillery & Visitor Experience from the 16th September with an RRP of £92.
Every Macallan single malt reveals the unrivalled commitment to the mastery of wood and spirit for which The Macallan has been known since it was established in 1824. It is an expression of our enduring desire to go beyond ordinary, to seek out the extraordinary, and create peerless single malts.
Our reputation for the extraordinary is characterised by the exceptional oak casks for which The Macallan is renowned. Sourced, crafted, toasted and seasoned under the watchful eye of the Master of Wood, the hand-picked casks are delivered to the demanding specifications of the Whisky Mastery Team. It is the oak that makes the greatest contribution to the quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours at the heart of this single malt whisky.
Once filled, the maturing spirit remains undisturbed in the same casks for the necessary number of years it needs to be worthy of its destined Macallan expression. It is these oak casks that make the greatest contribution to the quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours which lie at the heart of The Macallan single malt.
Stuart McNamara (@WhiskeyBlogger) is an international Whiskey Blogger who edits several International Whisk(e)y and Whiskey Tourism sites including IrishWhiskey.com and WhiskeyBlogger.com. He is Chair of the Irish Craft And Artisan Distilleries Association (ICADA) and is an elected member of the National Council of ISME, the Irish SME Association. He is also the creator and editor of International Irish Whiskey Day which is celebrated on 3/3 or 3rd March each year and had a global social media reach in 2021 of over 20 Million. He is a Director of Portmagee Whiskey and has also acted as both a brand and product development consultant to several other Irish Whiskey and other spirits producers.
