The Macallan Romantica Collection
A 1986 Vintage unveiled in 2026 to mark the 100th anniversary of The Macallan 1926. Price available on request.
The Macallan Romantica Collection exemplifies The Macallan's mastery of wood and spirit.
From a single sherry seasoned European oak cask from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, three editions have been created, 86 of each bearing the label artwork of Sir Peter Blake, Valerio Adami and Michael Dillon.
A Tribute To The Macallan 1926
In 1986, The Macallan 1926 reached the apogee of maturity with a complex and alluring character, slowly aged into perfection over six long decades in a sherry seasoned oak cask from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. This would become the world’s most valuable wine or spirit sold at auction.
As maturation of The Macallan 1926 came to an end in 1986, another journey was just beginning. Single sherry seasoned European oak cask no. 9925 was filled and laid down in a cool, quiet corner of The Macallan Estate, to be unveiled in 2026 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Macallan 1926 - revealed as The Macallan Romantica Collection.
A trinity of globally acclaimed artists were commissioned to create label art for The Macallan 1926: Sir Peter Blake, Valerio Adami and Michael Dillon. Today, the artists are reunited with The Macallan to pay homage to The Macallan 1926 on its 100th anniversary; each artist brings their own singular perspective to a new collection of artwork for The Romantica Collection.
Each artist contemplated The Macallan's journey during cask no. 9925's years of slumber, from 1986 to 2026 and interpreted this in their own unique style with a depth, complexity and vibrancy mirrored in the character of the whisky that bears their art.
Tasting Notes
Cask - No. 9925, Single Sherry seasoned European oak cask
Strength - 48.6% ABV
Colour - Entirely natural.
Nose - Remarkably bright and vibrant with apricot conserve, canned peaches and bittersweet toffee. Further complexity builds with crystallised ginger, gentle cinnamon, antique oak and integrated fragrant woodsmoke.
Palate - Initial velvety sweetness from brown sugar, glazed peach and tropical lychee. Great depth develops from dark cherries, treacle and a subtle hint of peat.
Finish - Lingering dried fruit and a gentle touch of leather and rich cacao. Long lasting and memorable.
The Music Room by Sir Peter Blake
Connecting Themes of Community
Blake's collage captures the sense of community at the heart of The Macallan. The year is 1986 and the collage imagines a celebratory crowd gathered for the opening of The Macallan Octagon Room, a music room inside Easter Elchies House, The Macallan's Spiritual Home in Speyside, Scotland.
Under the stewardship of Allan Shiach, 1986 proved to be an eventful year. The Octagon Room was declared open, The Macallan 1926 was bottled and The Macallan Romantica Collection was distilled.
The Macallan Romantica Collection – Blake Edition appears on the table within the collage, linking the events of 1986 to the release of The Macallan Romantica Collection in 2026.
Romantica by Valerio Adami
Connecting Themes of Time Travel
The composition of a lady, moon and stars is taken from a sketch by Adami from 1986, as The Macallan 1986 new make spirit was filled into cask. The lady represents Janet Harbinson, custodian of The Macallan one hundred years ago when The Macallan 1926 was distilled.
Janet proudly stands in a Scottish landscape with her back to an interpretation of Adami's 1926 bottle, using the 1926 bottle as a mirror to reflect the past. Her bold red dress is reminiscent of a colour commonly found in Adami's work and is also significant throughout the history of The Macallan.
The Macallan Estate by Michael Dillon
Connecting Themes of Nature
Dillon's landscape painting captures the natural beauty of Easter Elchies Estate, home to The Macallan Distillery in Speyside, Scotland. Dillon's composition focuses on nature and is inspired by a shared respect for the beauty and fragility of the natural world. The gaze is drawn along a grassy path to The Macallan Distillery, an architectural masterpiece almost imperceptible under the landscape created by its grass covered, undulating roof.
The Distillery is a symbol of The Macallan's growth and modernisation since 1986, yet is only revealed in Dillon's work by the reflection from the tall glass windows, suggesting something magical is concealed beneath.
The Presentation Box
Each bottle of The Macallan Romantica Collection is housed in a handcrafted European oak presentation box, its exterior bearing a striking image of the artist's work.
Inside, leather lining, drawn from the distinctive colour scheme of each artist's work, holds the bottle alongside a scrolled giclée art print, secured with a leather band carrying the artist's signature. A numbered certificate of authentication, signed by Kirsteen Campbell, completes the collection.
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