THE MACALLAN 'ART IS THE FLOWER' SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY
HIGHLANDS, SCOTLAND
WHY BUY:
The Macallan occupies a rarified space in whisky, less a distillery and more a temple to tradition and craft — that makes every release an event, but even so this one is special (and likely to be gone in a matter of hours). Art is the Flower feels like the culmination of everything they've mastered over two centuries, from those Curiously Small Stills that make for such a distinct and concentrated spirit to their revolutionary sherry cask program that forever changed how we think about wood management. The ingenious wrinkle here is in the use of first- and second-fill casks, which deliver more than the expected notes of fruits and sweet spice; those casks provide structure and power, along with delicate (and welcome) floral notes that reveal a new dimension of this whisky-making legend we thought we knew everything about.
OUR TASTING NOTES:
The first encounter with this whisky is like walking into a Spanish bodega filled with ancient sherry casks — all dark wood, concentrated fruit, and promise. The nose reveals itself, slowly, and in waves: first, those dense raisins and fresh figs, then oak. Cherry and orange notes play at the edges, with almond and treacle adding complexity. The palate delivers what the nose hints at, but with surprising grace. Sweet oak forms the foundation, but it's those plump raisins and that warming ginger that compel us, spreading across the palate with deliberate slowness. Vanilla threads through it all, binding these disparate notes into something coherent and compelling, while that unexpected apple and hint of leaf tea provide the perfect counterpoint, like finding a small garden within an ancient forest. This is a whisky to make you want to cancel plans and sink deeper into your chair, glass cradled in hand.
THE STORY:
Tucked away in the quiet hills of Speyside, The Macallan began life humbly enough, in 1824: as a small farm distillery with the most modest of ambitions. Alexander Reid could hardly have imagined the colossus his operation would become two centuries later, yet something of his spirit remains in every drop The Macallan produces. Art is the Flower draws not only on this heritage, but reaches beyond into the world of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the architect and artist whose flowing, naturalistic designs helped define Art Nouveau. The connection isn't forced or merely decorative; it's expressed in the whisky itself, with its delicate floral notes echoing Mackintosh's signature motifs. There's something poetic about this meeting of disciplines: the architect who captured nature's forms in his designs, now honored by a spirit that captures nature's essence in bottle.
ABV:
50.4% (100.8 proof).
FUN FACT:
The Macallan's Curiously Small Stills are among the smallest on Speyside, creating more concentrated contact with the copper during distillation. This seemingly simple design choice contributes significantly to the rich, fruity character that defines their distinctive house style: proof that in whisky making, as in art, the smallest details often make the greatest difference.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy and ship directly from the distiller, to ensure perfect provenance. Order yours today!