The Macallan has unveiled the latest edition to its storied Fine & Rare Collection, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1989. Last year, the iconic Speyside distillery added a 1990 Edition and a 1993 Edition to the series.
Matured in a single sherry seasoned European oak butt cask for 32 years, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1989 was filled on December 12th, 1989, bottled in January 2022, and is presented at its natural cask strength. The Scotch joins the largest assembly of vintage-dated, single malt whiskies in the world.
Launched in 2002, The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection comprises 59 individual releases spanning eight decades, from the earliest expression distilled in 1926, a whisky of legendary status, to the previously mentioned 1993.
Scarce and finite, these bottlings embody a whisky history of The Macallan, offering insights into the distinctive aroma and flavor characteristics of the single malt over time.
A rich mahogany in color, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1989 offers aromas of dark cherries, sweet treacle toffee, cocoa powder, and gingerbread. The palate finds amaretti biscuits, caramelized pineapple, demerara sugar, rich treacle tart, candied fruits, plum jam, and a hint of dark chocolate. The finish is multi-layered, long, and complex.
This impressive single malt was distilled at the time when the first of 24 satellites that would make up the global positioning system was put into orbit, revolutionizing navigation on land and sea. Cold fusion was achieved at Utah University by Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann, while ‘Sue’, the best-preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found, was discovered in South Dakota by Sue Hendrickson. It is also the year the iconic ‘Seinfeld’ TV series premiered in the USA.
For the launch of the 1989 Edition, The Macallan worked with leading fashion photographer Tim Walker to capture unique photography telling the story of the new release. The exceptionally rare whisky takes center stage in evocative images depicting the Solar System to pay tribute to the year the single malt was distilled.
Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan, said: “The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection is inspired by our whisky-making legacy. It is the finest and rarest range of single malt whiskies in the world and reveals the mastery of wood and spirit for which The Macallan has been renowned since 1824. These 59 unique vintages are products of nature’s gentle process, undisturbed for decades in sherry seasoned oak casks. They all speak of an unbroken provenance that has rooted The Macallan to its home at Easter Elchies for nearly two centuries and have been nurtured by nature on our beautiful 485-acre Estate, following time honored maturation to achieve perfection. Each release is completely individual but unmistakably Macallan. Fine & Rare 1989 will join its distinguished predecessors and it is a privilege to play a part in crafting this incomparable collection.”
The Macallan Fine & Rare 1989 features the cask number, year of distillation, and year of bottling printed on the label, while the age, strength, and volume are all handwritten in keeping with the tradition that began when the collection was born. Each bottle is encased in an FSC certified European oak presentation box which also contains information on how to record a Vintage Macallan Fine & Rare bottle in The Macallan Vintage Bottle Register in Easter Elchies House, the spiritual home of the brand located on The Macallan Estate.
As part of The Macallan’s ongoing sustainability journey, which includes a commitment to responsible sourcing and packaging, production of the distinctive wooden Fine & Rare box has been repatriated to the UK, which will greatly reduce transit carbon emissions. The Fine & Rare 1989 box has been produced in England by Moran’s Wood Components, a family run manufacturing business dedicated to craftsmanship and social and environmental responsibility.
Bottled at 51.2% ABV, a limited number of bottles will be available in selected bars and restaurants, and premium retailers exclusively in the USA from September 2022. For each 750ml decanter, The Macallan Fine & Rare 1989 is priced at $18,500 and costs $17,300 for 700ml bottles.
For further information or to view The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection digital guide, head over to the brand’s official website.
