ANECDOTES OF AGES COLLECTION
A limited-release whisky and art collection between The Macallan and renowned British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake. This is The Macallan’s third collaboration in a partnership spanning almost four decades, this collection celebrates the rich contribution to the art world of Sir Peter Blake and legacy/history of The Macallan.
When The Macallan lead whisky maker, Sarah Burgess met with Sir Peter Blake it was a meeting of two minds inspiring the careful selection of casks to create a complex yet perfectly balanced single malt. This latest limited edition single malt represents this in a discerning package.
A DISTINCT PRESENTATION
This new limited release bottle is a tribute to some of the colourful characters from The Macallan’s past and present, celebrating the infamous Macallan Estate, the community and the distillery. This release is a continuation of the artists collection of 13 one-of-a-kind bottles of exceptional 1967 whisky, where each bottle is adorned with its own distinct original collage art on the label, and uniquely captures stories from our history, community, and the beautiful natural landscape of The Macallan Estate.
The Macallan x Sir Peter Blake Anecdote of Ages collection.
The rare collection if you are able to get your hands on one starts at USD$83,000 / HK$652,000 for the The Down to Work edition (limited to 322 bottles) and up to an eye watering USD$475,000 / HK$3,730,000 for a one-of-the-kind A New Era of Advertising (pictured below) as auctioned by Sothebys in Feb 2021. The winning bidder also received a VIP tour of The Macallan Distillery in Speyside.
However there is a wider release dubbed An Estate, A Community and A Distillery. Priced at US$1,200 / HK$9,500 per bottle, this comes in a custom box with a printed reproduction of Blake’s artwork.
For this special single malt release release, the label has been created by Blake using digital mediums in his signature collage pop art techniques digitally. The presentation box further represents the artist and has been created with colours that inspired his art and his upbringing in UK – royal blue and British green with natural textures.
The presentation box houses a 700ml bottle, a certificate detailing the history and heritage on which the art was based, and artwork printed on a scroll. This brightly coloured scroll contains a collage representing anecdotes from the wider collection, portrayed in Sir Peter Blake’s distinct style. Information on each character from The Macallan’s history that features on the bottle label is included.
TASTING NOTES
The Macallan lead whisky maker, Sarah Burgess, was inspired by Sir Peter Blake’s character to create a whisky classic in style with surprising notes of treacle and black pepper. With a nose rich in dried fruits and spices with hints of orange and clove. Dried fruits again on the palate, with cracked black pepper and treacle, accents of vanilla and orange oil. A long, rich oak finish with cinnamon and cacao.
Colour: Cinnamon.
Aroma: Rich in dried fruits and spices with hints of orange and clove.
Palate: Dried fruits with cracked black pepper and treacle, accents of vanilla and orange oil.
Finish: A long, rich oak finish with cinnamon and cacao.
ABV: 47.7%.
An Estate, A Community and A Distillery is priced at US$1,200 / HK$9,500 per bottle.
MCA Launch event
Mr Gumbatron was invited to The Macallan x Sir Peter Blake; Anecdote of Ages Exhibition at The Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, Australia earlier this month.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, overlooking the iconic Sydney Opera House served as the perfect venue for an exhibition celebrating the works of contemporary artist. Guests were transported to Sir Peter Blakes Studio in Hammersmith London with a travelling trunk show of his art studio, discovering the inspiration behind his work with The Macallan/Edrington as well as other notable commissions including the album sleeve design for the Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Single malt whisky, cocktails and delectable canapés were served long into the evening as guests enjoyed the presentation, the exhibition itself and as a bonus; Vivid Sydney festival of light, music and ideas was also taking place concurrently and we were treated to front row seats to the annual spectacle.
The Anecdotes of Ages Collection is an extraordinary art and whisky collaboration with globally renowned British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake that encapsulates the rich worlds of whisky making and the world of art.
If you would also like to experience the Anecdote of Age Exhibition, you can join the virtual and interactive tour here to learn more. Enjoy with a glass of Macallan Whisky in hand of course.
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dress well, drink well. live well
L.M
