Whisky wanderlust: Sample The Macallan’s storied past with a sensorial journey, bespoke tastings

NESTLED in the Scottish highlands above the River Spey sits a 200-year-old distillery producing some of the whisky world’s most prized single malts. Known for its sherry-seasoned oak casks that lend its renowned whiskies a spectrum of natural hues from light golden to deep mahogany, The Macallan continues to delight connoisseurs with its heritage, craftsmanship and creativity even today.

Now, whisky aficionados in Singapore get to immerse themselves in the world of The Macallan through a time-travelling journey that celebrates the distillery’s 200 years. From Sept 7 to 22, step into The Heart of The Spirit at The Warehouses @ Clarke Quay to discover the past, present and future of The Macallan.

During the experience, you will also get to savour a dram of The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old and a specialty signature serve cocktail crafted with The Macallan.

An immersive experience of poetry and art

Quintessential stories from The Macallan’s history are brought to life through art and verse in this tribute to the pioneers, their contribution and dreams, and to all the notable people instrumental in developing the brand to what it is today.

When you step in, hosts will guide you to the dedicated space where The Heart of The Spirit experience takes place. You will also get to participate in the interactive activities at various segments of the experience.

Delve into The Macallan world

The Heart of The Spirit experience begins with “The Past” – an homage to the makers of The Macallan who have carved out this outstanding, much-loved whisky.

Showcasing the talents of acclaimed Spanish visual artist Javi Aznarez and award-winning Scottish poet Jenni Fagan, The Heart of The Spirit captures the key moments of the distiller’s 200 years of history, enlivened through illustrations and poetry.

The journey continues to “The Present” as guests explore The Macallan’s universe through the immersive digital experience. The stories are brought to life via animated illustrations by Aznarez,whose graphic art was also featured in Wes Anderson’s film The French Dispatch.

One of the highlights during the hour-long session is a 20-minute immersive digital experience (without strobe lighting and wearable accessories). The combination of animation, sound design and specialist projection techniques along with paired tastings, takes you on a journey through time. Whisky enthusiasts can learn more about the brand, from its early beginnings till today.

Tales of the past, present and future are narrated by Fagan. As guests explore the brand’s story, they will also be presented with a tasting of The Macallan Sherry Oak 18 Years Old.

Finally, guests will be transported into “The Future” which presents a fascinating sneak peek into The Macallan universe. They will be served a special bespoke cocktail that marries the rich, complex notes of the signature sherry oak whisky with a harmonious blend of natural ingredients. The concoction will only be available at this engaging experience.

As part of the wider 200-year anniversary campaign, The Macallan is also releasing the Time:Space Collection – two unique whisky releases that showcase its interpretation of time travel through whisky mastery.

The first is Time:Space, a dual-chamber bottle housing the oldest whisky released by The Macallan, bottled at 84 years old, as well as the first release from the brand’s new distillery, distilled in 2018 and bottled at five years old.

The second release is a unique single malt which pays tribute to past whisky masters. Christened Time:Space Mastery, the release features layers of complexity, thanks to a combination of 14 exceptional cask types that offer incredible depth of flavour, aroma and texture.

There will also be a limited-edition book, with just 1,000 copies available worldwide, to be released later in 2024. This work of art will be featured at The Heart of The Spirit experience showcasing 200 poems by Jenni Fagan and beautiful illustrations by Javi Aznarez, reflecting a wealth of stories and memories gathered over the course of two centuries.

The Heart of The Spirit runs from Sept 7 to 22 at Clarke Quay Warehouse B. Each ticket for the 75-minute session is priced at $48. Guests will also be able to purchase bottles at the end of their journey. Sign up here.