Guardian of the River Spey

A day on the river – with its pure, clean water, stunningly wild landscape, calm silence and the power and strength of the Scottish salmon – is a once in a lifetime experience. Inspired by a day on the Spey, The Macallan Whisky Maker, Steven Bremner, created Edition No. 6 by choosing five cask styles that embody unique stories related to the river and its unparalleled natural landscape.

One of these stories draws on The Macallan Ghillie, Robert Mitchell. Robert has been The Macallan’s Ghillie for four years, and assists those who come to fish on the river. He is the guardian of The Macallan’s one-and-three-quarter mile stretch of the River Spey, and is an advocate for sustaining the wildlife in and around it. 

An admired member of The Macallan community on The Estate, Robert is a central character in the story of Edition No. 6. His warm, welcoming personality is represented by the European oak hogsheads, which are bursting with sweet and spicy flavours and help to build a connection between the American and European oak styles.

The River Spey is recognised as one of the finest fly-fishing rivers in Europe and attracts fishermen from across the globe. The Macallan beat has stunning surroundings where, on special occasions, guests can enjoy one of the world’s greatest rivers. There is even a particular fishing fly cast known as the ‘Spey cast’, which was developed on this legendary river. 
 

As custodians of the River Spey, The Macallan has set a 100% return of its fish to the river. All fishing on The Estate is, and always will be, catch and release, and all fish are treated with the utmost respect and care during that time. 

Alongside this, we are supporting The Atlantic Salmon Trust’s vital conservation work in the River Spey and beyond. The funding is being used for the Moray Firth Tracking Project, which aims to find out where and why Atlantic salmon are dying in their oceanic migration, as well as for other international outreach projects.

As part of the inspiration for cask styles used in creating Edition No. 6, The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner looked to celebrated fly-fishing brand Hardy. The European oak butts and hogsheads deliver the classic notes of dried fruits, ginger and oak synonymous with The Macallan, and were particularly selected to honour Hardy, the world’s most renowned fly-fishing brand. 

Ghillie – (Scottish English) a person who helps somebody who is fishing for sport in Scotland.

Fly fishing – the sport of fishing in a river or lake using an artificial fly at the end of the line to attract and catch the fish.

Fishing beat – An individual stretch of a salmon fishing river in Scotland, where fishing rights are owned by the landowner of the land adjacent to the river. All salmon fishing rivers in Scotland are divided into beats of around two or three miles long.

Tight lines – a fishing term used to describe when someone is hooked up with a fish i.e. the line is tight between them and the fish. The phrase is also used as a salutation, greeting, or wish for good luck between fishermen as by keeping the lines tight, it indicates that they are catching lots of fish.