Double Cask
A Perfect Combination of Sherry Seasoned Oak Casks
The Macallan Double Cask Collection celebrates the perfect combination of sherry seasoned American and European oak casks crafted in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
Sherry from our Spanish Bodegas is the seasoner of our exceptional oak casks, creating single malts of complexity, smoothness and distinct character.
“The Macallan Double Cask Collection celebrates the perfect balance of our exceptional sherry seasoned American and European oak casks showcasing our entirely natural colour. This harmonious combination, offers the unmistakable sweetness of vanilla and fresh fruits from the American oak, balanced with soft spices and dried fruits from the European oak. Increasing in complexity with age, discerning palates will appreciate the smooth and creamy whiskies of this collection.”
Kirsteen Campbell
Master Whisky Maker
The Story of Double Cask
The Macallan Double Cask Collection is the perfect combination of sherry seasoned American and European oak casks. With a smooth and creamy flavour profile it comprises 12, 15, 18 and 30 Years Old expressions.
This Collection focusses on sherry as the seasoner of our exceptional oak casks. It reflects the origin story of our wood from the forests of Europe and North America, to Jerez where our casks are created and seasoned before they make their journey to The Macallan Estate in Speyside.
Our wood story starts in the forests where the oak trees originate. It comes together at our cooperages and sherry bodegas in Jerez de la Frontera. It is here that our exceptional oak casks are seasoned with sherry in our Bodegas of Jerez.
Signature Taste
Double Cask Collection: Smooth and Creamy
Unmistakable sweetness, led by notes of vanilla and fresh fruits from American oak, balanced with soft spices and dried fruits from European oak. The Collection increases in complexity with age, revealing baked fruits and soft spices.
In perfect harmony, the two cask types are expertly brought together delivering the distinctive smooth and creamy single malt characteristics of fresh fruits and toffee.
The Macallan and David Carson
The Macallan Double Cask Collection is seen through the lens of our artistic translator, David Carson. It is rooted in our sherry and wood provenance underpinned by our Six Pillars and many other aspects that make The Macallan what it is.
The white colour present in the packaging and artwork for this Collection represents American oak and the red is representative of European oak.
Sherry Meets and Transforms Wood
Showcasing the interaction of sherry and wood, this artwork by David Carson shows the purest abstraction of a cask's life: two woods forming a complete figure. Two staves, two casks - one American oak, one European oak. One freshly seasoned with sherry, the other, exhausted.
Sherry acts as a transformer in both: a deep, complex, liquid red and white backdrop are held within, signifying the two woods used, European and American oak. The textured drops of red are a reference to sherry grapes, and the red paint strokes showcase the hues of red in the Collection.
Our oak casks are essential to the exceptional quality of our whisky. After air-drying at the source, the wood is sent to Jerez to further dry under the Spanish sun.
Once ready, the staves are crafted into casks. These casks are then toasted and filled with sherry wine, imbuing the wood with its distinctive flavour, colour, and character. As the sherry and wood meet, a special transformation begins.
Rooted in The Macallan Six Pillars
At The Macallan, roots run deep. We have distilled since 1824 at Easter Elchies where our Spiritual Home and Distillery remains and thrives today. We are guided at all times by our Six Pillars: the fundamental principles that act as a compass for everything we do at The Macallan. Our DNA, our core values, the ideas and places that make us who we are run a red thread through everything we do.
Sherry Seasoned Excellence
The Macallan’s exceptional European and American oak casks spend time in our Spanish bodegas during which time they are filled with sherry wine to season them.
Over the coming months, sherry wine gently rests within the exceptional oak casks. These sherry seasoned oak casks are then emptied, and transported to our Distillery here in Speyside, Scotland. Upon arrival at The Macallan Estate, these exceptional sherry seasoned oak casks are filled with our robust and fruity new make spirit.
Over years our whiskies will mature, drawing aromas, flavour and natural colour from these sherry seasoned oak casks. An exceptional story of sherry and wood.
DISCOVER MORE FROM THE MACALLAN
The Timeless Collections define The Macallan signature taste, quality and dedication to crafting incomparable single malt whiskies.
Each is an expression of the same signature taste that you know and expect from The Macallan, and the standards of excellence underpinned by our Six Pillars.