Skip to main content

The Macallan’s Million-Dollar New Distillery is Architecturally Delicious (Like Scotch)

Ian Gavan

Scottish whisky royalty, The Macallan (you know, the ones who put out this gem of a whisky), recently unveiled the brand’s new Easter Elchies estate distillery — a £140 million (USD $187,362,420) cathedral of single malt magnificence.

The new, modern home of The Macallan acts as the centerpiece of parent company Edrington’s £500 million (USD $669,151,500) investment in increasing both the reach and the refinement of their whiskies.

Recommended Videos

Officially opening June 2, 2018, the distillery is headlined by a massive, undulating timber roof structure that disappears into the land, mimicking the pastoral Scottish hillside (much like these modern invisible houses). A whopping 380,000 individual components go into the roof’s design, “maximizing the aesthetic beauty of the building whilst minimizing the visual impact on the Speyside landscape, which has been classified as an ‘Area of Great Landscape Value,’” The Macallan says in a release.

Oops! We couldn't load this video player

The overall appeal is a harmonious blend of contemporary and bucolic, lending to a structure you might imagine housing a great art museum or national opera.

The property for the new distillery has been home to The Macallan since 1824 (for U.S. reference, the year the first settlers arrived in Florida to found Tallahassee). The new structure took three years and six months to complete. Considering the magnitude of the project — helmed by acclaimed architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, along with 25 contractors — we’d reckon three years is not long at all for this casa. Then you take into account 400 people specializing in more than 20 different trades were employed on site.

Ian Gavan

It’s safe to say they must really love Scotch whisky.

The Macallan’s goal was to build a house that would match the quality of the sweet (generally) amber liquid it produces. And with the architecture’s unrivaled scale and complexity, I’d say the brand was successful.

Entering the state-of-the-art Macallan distillery can only be compared to entering a grand church in Paris. Like stepping foot into a sanctuary, the distillery has soaring ceilings and a matrix of golden copper stills. Visitors will be ushered through “The Macallan’s Six Pillars,” an interactive and tech-driven experience that touches on essential Macallan heritage from their sherry casks seasoned in Spain to the uniquely small stills.

The Macallan Distillery Easter Elchies 7

Ian Gavan

Speaking of stills, the new ones were crafted by Scottish coppersmiths Forsyths, who have been making the brand’s distinctive small stills since the 1950s. Don’t worry — the new stills are an exact replica of the originals. While the new distillery will allow for production to increase, the company isn’t interested in straying from the traditions that made Macallan, well, a top-notch Scotch we crave every day of the week.

“We’ve taken exceptional care in making sure that the spirit that is produced in the new distillery is identical to the spirit that we produced in our previous distillery. This is the beginning of a really exciting new chapter in the evolution of this wonderful brand that is The Macallan,” says Macallan creative director Ken Grier.

The new distillery’s Edrington location also promises to bring new tourism to the quiet region, especially as the rise of spirits-based travel, (i.e. The Colorado Spirit’s TrailKentucky Bourbon Trail, etc.) becomes a popular motivation for international exploration.

The old distillery was also in Speyside, Scotland, and it will remain there, but plans for what’s next for the space are still being determined.

Jahla Seppanen
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Born and raised off-the-grid in New Mexico, Jahla Seppanen is currently a sports, fitness, spirits, and culture writer in…
Two Stacks just released a blended Irish whiskey in the U.S.
Two Stacks just launched a new, blended Irish whiskey
Two Stacks

If you’re a fan of ready-to-drink alcohol products, you’re probably well aware of Two Stacks Irish Whiskey. The “Dram in a Can” is the world’s first Irish whiskey in a can. All you need to do is crack it open, pour it into a glass, enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or mix it into a cocktail.

If, for some reason, cans aren’t your thing or you’d just like a whole 700ml bottle, the folks at Two Stacks also sell bottles of whiskey. They just launched a new bottled Irish Whiskey in the U.S. Market (don’t worry, it’s also available in cans).
Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend Irish Whiskey

Read more
Enhance your best tequilas with these classic Margarita recipes
Try out the beloved margarita, three ways
Tommy's Margarita and Cantera Negra Tequila

Of all the tequila cocktails to be found in your local bar, the Margarita is the most universally beloved. The combination of tequila, lime, and triple sec is a classic that is both easy to drink and a great way to show off the nuances of your favorite tequila.

But if you fancy upping your margarita game a bit, then you can look into specialty recipes which tweak the base of the drink to match the particular qualities of the spirit you're using. We've got a trio of margarita recipe recommendations from Cantera Negra Tequila, making use of both the silver and reposado expressions.
Tommy’s Margarita

Read more
A novice cheesemaker’s guide on how to make cheese at home
Ever wanted to make your own cheese? Let this story be your faithful guide
Wooden table with a delicious variety of cheeses. Cheeses included in the composition are Manchego cheese, goat cheese, emmental cheese, Roquefort cheese, Parmesan cheese and Cheddar cheese. Predominant colors are yellow and brown

The art of cheesemaking is a time-honored tradition that is far less complicated than one might think. Knowing how to make your own at home can unlock a world of unpasteurized possibilities if you are a cheese connoisseur like I am. For the beginner cheesemaker, I found starting with a soft cheese like Chevre or mozzarella is best, which requires fewer steps and minimal aging. Once you have mastered the basics, the combinations are endless.

Want to impress next time you're pairing up wine (or beer) and cheese? I've found there's no better way than with some tasty dairy you made yourself with your own bare hands. You can create the cheese of your wildest dreams, from the sheep to cow's milk to added herbs and even dairy-free versions. To help you embark on your cheesemaking journey, here are the fundamentals you need to know on how to make cheese to begin making the freshest, most delicious cheese right at home.
The basics of cheesemaking

Read more