Natural Expressions
A Whisky Decanter United in Spirit and Flame
Lalique and The Macallan’s quest for excellence
Once every so often you meet an individual or group that share your vision and pursuit of excellence, who are brave enough to choose something bigger. They are rare, for they refuse shortcuts, are not afraid to take risks when risks are worth taking, and will not compromise on what matters most. Yet there is a humility rooted deep within as well, an awareness that not everything is known and must be sought out.
It is this shared ethos that initially drew us to Lalique.
Attracted by common sense of heritage, craftsmanship and creativity, we first came together with Lalique in 2005 to create our seminal collaboration based on our foundational Six Pillars. Future innovation needs to be informed by the past, you can’t set a strong course without knowing where you came from. This inspired us to design a collection that drew on our rich history expressed through spirit and through flame, as both Lalique’s legendary glass and the distinctive flavor of our whisky are shaped by fire.
ABOUT LALIQUE CRYSTAL
Founded in 1888, Lalique is widely recognised as one of the crown jewels of France’s crystal glass industry. René Lalique, renowned as the inventor of modern jewellery, went on to become a master in the art of glassmaking. Over time, his name has become the powerful symbol of a unique expertise, a synonym for luxury, excellence, creativity and for a widely celebrated artistic style.
- Through its contemporary work in six areas, Lalique revives and pursues the creative, eclectic work of its founder: jewellery, decorative items, interior design, fragrances, art, as well as hospitality
- All crystal items are handcrafted in the company’s sole manufacturing site, which has been located in the Alsace region in France since 1921
- A Lalique crystal worker is considered a ‘trainee’ for around 5-10 years
- Lalique continues to thrive as a truly timeless lifestyle brand
Twin Pursuits of Mastery
The Macallan and Lalique are highly regarded masters in their respective fields, and both are dedicated artists with an obsessive pursuit of perfection. Thus it was a natural collaboration between two brands renowned for their craftsmanship, bringing together the undisputed ‘Masters of Crystal’ with the ‘Masters of Spirit and Wood’. The care, investment and sacrifice that we make in our wood is paralleled in these crystal craftsmen. The standards are high, and they must be met or exceeded. For our past collaborations as many as 15 Lalique craftsmen and women have been involved in hand-making and crafting each of The Macallan decanters. Such is the level of perfection, around 50% of all decanters that come out of the kiln are rejected because of minute flaws. The details matter when perfection is the standard.
Since beginning to work together thirteen years ago, The Macallan and Lalique have collaborated on a range of exquisite decanters and products. Each possess their own distinct history and example of craftsmanship, including The Macallan 64 Years Old Cire Perdue, The Macallan Masters Decanter Series, and The Macallan Golden Age of Travel. The united vision and unwavering determination to choose a bigger life is the strength behind the long-standing partnership, which has seen The Macallan and Lalique allied together by a commitment to craft, mastery and beauty.