The Macallan celebrates the arts and its three decade-long friendship with British pop artist Sir Peter Blake with the Anecdotes of Ages, a collection of 13 one-of-a-kind bottles of the exceptional 1967 whisky.
Having matured for over 50 years, the single malt Scotch was carefully selected to also represent the year that Sir Peter Blake’s signature collages transcended from art into popular culture.
Each bottle features its own original signed Sir Peter Blake collage art on the label, detailing the unique stories behind The Macallan’s history, community, and the breathtaking natural landscape of The Macallan Estate. The bottles are handblown with an oak stopper, and presented in a handcrafted European oak case. The latter also incorporates thumbnail photography that reveals the artist’s inspirational journey with the distillery, accompanied by a leather-bound book showcasing all 13 label artworks and corresponding stories, as well as a certificate of authenticity.
“This exceptional 1967 whisky was chosen for its classic yet distinctively colourful character, which is reminiscent of Sir Peter Blake’s work of the same year,” said Sarah Burgess, Lead Whisky Maker at The Macallan. “With notes of oak and fig leading to a burst of hazelnut and strawberry, this is a truly special single malt that finishes with complex flavours of chocolate and lightly spiced peach. It is in many ways, its own work of art.”
The relationship between The Macallan and Sir Peter Blake is a long and fruitful one, based on a mutual respect for craftsmanship and a strong desire to deliver truly creative and visionary work. The two have collaborated on projects such as creating a bespoke label for The Macallan 1926 back in 1986, as well as a unique, limited edition art piece in collaboration of the artist’s 80th birthday and decades of collaborating with the distillery in 2012.
And as part of The Macallan’s strong support for the arts, one of the extremely rare 13 Anecdotes of Ages bottle is being auctioned off to raised funds for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. The Macallan’s support will advance efforts underway at the Guggenheim to increase free access, while developing engagement with a variety of audiences.
While the 13th original bottle will be retained in The Macallan archive, a highly limited edition whisky with a duplicate label and the same rare 1967 whisky will be released as The Anecdotes of Ages Collection: Down to Work Limited Edition. Only 322 bottles will be available worldwide.
True whisky lovers and collectors will can also welcome the release of another special single malt Scotch, which commemorates Sir Peter Blake’s visit to The Macallan Estate on the River Spey. Named “An Estate, A Community, and A Distillery”, it’s displayed in a custom box inspired by Sir Peter Blake’s art, along with a certificate outlining the history and heritage on which the art was based, and his artwork printed on a scroll.
To find out more about The Macallan Anecdotes of Ages Collection, visit their website here or give The Macallan Malaysia a follow on Instagram. For purchase inquiries, contact + 6012 692 2838 or +6012 670 7220, or visit The Macallan e-boutique.
Photos: Mary McCartney for The Macallan