The Macallan Unveils The Reach, an 81-Year-Old Whisky Masterpiece in Nigeria

The Macallan has unveiled The Reach, an incomparable single malt whisky that reflects an extraordinary moment in time and exemplifies the enduring spirit that has been at the heart of the brand for 200 years in Nigeria. The event was held in Lagos on Friday, February 23, 2024.

Crafted in 1940 and notably the oldest expression of The Macallan brand, The Reach embodies ingenuity and unmistakable strength of character. Its very existence is a testament to the care and commitment to uncompromised excellence that has driven The Macallan since it was founded in 1824. It also pays tribute to those who strived amid great adversity to resume distilling The Macallan’s spirit, as well as the craftspeople today who continue to uphold the brand’s values.

A rare single malt at 81 Years Old, The Reach is the oldest whisky ever released by The Macallan; crafted from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask. The dark, precious whisky is encased in an exquisite mouth-blown glass decanter, cradled on a bronze sculpture of three hands.

Each hand represents characters in The Macallan’s history and their unique story. One commemorates the Distillery workers of 1940 who crafted the spirit into existence, in challenging times, over eight decades ago. Another is the hand of one-time chairman, Allan Shiach, whose grandfather headed the company when this remarkable spirit was first consigned to its cask. The third is that of today’s Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell, who carefully selected the 1940 cask used to create The Reach, deciding that now was the time to share this precious whisky with the world.

Describing the notes of this expression, Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan, said, “Its deep auburn hue is the first hint of this remarkable whisky’s astonishing depth. Offering notes of dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon, and aromatic peat, leading on to treacle toffee, crystalised ginger and charred pineapple, before giving way to an intensely rich, sweet and smoky finish.”

Sculptor Saskia Robinson created the timeless sculpture featuring three hands, producing countless drawings from every perspective before working in the physical medium. The veins, nails and skin detail are recorded in extraordinary accuracy, modelled on an artist’s impression of a hand of one of those original distillery workers. The sculpture is cast in bronze and the glimmer of the metal contrasts beautifully with the dark amber whisky.

The surface of the glass decanter features subtle indentations that match the fingerprints of the bronze hands which support it, while a beautiful cabinet crafted using wood from a fallen elm tree, which is thought to have been on The Macallan Estate in 1940, houses the decanter.

Speaking about the inspiration behind The Reach, Saskia Robinson, noted, “A key concept of The Reach single malt is ‘legacy’ and it is a theme at the heart of what I hoped to evoke sculpturally, expressing this both visually and thematically. I wanted to bring to life the rich heritage of the whisky, and the sense of the passing of time and the intergenerational passing of knowledge, from the beginning of the process of creating it in 1940, to its maturation, to today and on a human level.”

Hammed Adebiyi, Brand Manager at Edrington Portfolio Nigeria, expressed his excitement for the upcoming launch stating, “The introduction of The Reach represents a monumental highlight for whisky aficionados in Nigeria. This expression of The Macallan embodies the pinnacle of craftsmanship.”

With its legacy of masterful craftsmanship, and exquisite flavour profile, The Macallan has pushed the boundaries of excellence, through the exclusive release, showcasing its commitment to delivering exquisite whisky experiences.

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