The Tree of Life by The Macallan
This expression combines two sherry seasoned oak casks from 1979, delivering a single malt of distinct character with an inspiring story of two legacies bound by nature, The Macallan and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Matured for 46 years in sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, The Tree of Life by The Macallan is one of our rarest releases.
This single malt whisky is a unique, vibrant and complex expression that has been created to mark the age that Scottish architect, designer and artist, Charles Rennie Mackintosh reconnected with nature completely, at 46 years of age. Tropical fruits, complex wood spice and notes of antique oak are demonstrative of its age and evoke the sentiment of Mackintosh’s unique designs crafted from wood, in Scotland, many years ago.
The decanter is finished with an iconic crystal rose stopper inspired by ‘The Spirit of the Rose’ stained-glass panel by Mackintosh.
The Macallan Estate and landscape are at the heart of everything we do and nature is an enduring source of inspiration for us. Charles Rennie Mackintosh was inspired by nature his entire life and is known to have made artistic studies of plants and flowers before turning to a career in architecture.
Nature at the Heart
The influence of nature reveals itself in the decorative detail of his architecture and multi-disciplinary interior design pieces such as ‘The Spirit of the Rose’ glass-panel in 1902, the creative inspiration for The Tree of Life design, representing a lifelong connection to nature.
Coinciding with the outbreak of the first World War, Mackintosh travelled to the countryside to take a break from architecture and completely reconnect with nature. He rented a fishing shed by a river where he peacefully surveyed the natural surroundings and produced some of his finest watercolour paintings of flowers in his truest expression of nature.
This study of nature would eventually lead him away from architecture altogether. He was 46 years old.
THE EXPERIENCE
Colour
The Tree of Life by The Macallan is a unique, vibrant and complex expression, combining two sherry seasoned oak casks from 1979. This rare release delivers a single malt of distinct character with an inspiring story of two legacies bound by nature, The Macallan and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
A Tribute to Mastery
An exquisite sculpture envelops the Lalique crystal decanter, taking inspiration from the intricate metalwork Mackintosh designed to adorn his architecture.
Mackintosh excelled in combining colour with natural light and an ability to capture organic form in his structures, with plants, leaves and flowers forming a key part of his iconic decorative style.
The sculpture design builds on the decanter’s depiction of nature, protectively encasing the crystal as it moves upwards and outwards, resemblant of a tree as it reaches towards the sun. The wooden elements are crafted from European Oak, a nod to the time Mackintosh spent in Europe, and the oak base includes wood from one of our exceptional oak casks.
The wooden rings represent the passage of time, as with growth rings in a tree and bear an inscription taken from a poem commissioned for the project, speaking to the circularity of life.
“Wonder springs from the simple seed. Birth and rebirth continuous and yet forever changing”.
Bringing together art, whisky and poetry
A Harmonious Collaboration
Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired this release. A world-renowned Scottish architect, designer and artist, his unique style continues to influence artisans and global projects today.
Mackintosh believed there was a circularity to art and poetry that saw the tree of life and other popular themes evolve in artistic interpretation and expression over time.
With the tree of life inspiring the collaboration between The Macallan and the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, a homage to his work, his philosophy, poetry and his connection to nature is explored through his work and influence.
As a tribute to Mackintosh’s poetic beauty this art form has been brought to life in a poem commissioned for The Tree of Life by The Macallan to express our story, foundations and resonance with Mackintosh. This poem is included in an accompanying book.
“The Tree of Life symbolises the importance of nature in which it connects all living things, and when protected, ensures the prosperity of our future. It highlights the relationship between age, growth and strength as a fitting tribute to the careful maturation of The Macallan single malt scotch whisky. This exclusive collaboration celebrates a passion for mastery inspired by the delicate yet eternal renewal of nature.”
Jaume Ferras
The Macallan Global Creative Director
The Poem
The authors of the poem, creative partners Dai and the late Jenny Vaughan have had a close association with the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society and developed a passionate appreciation for Mackintosh and his work through their involvement with restoration and recreation projects in Scotland.
The poem will appear in an accompanying book, and the final three lines are inscribed on the wooden rings around the sculpture in which the decanter rests.
Learn More of the Collaboration
A Shared Story of Nature and Legacy
For over two centuries, The Macallan has been an emblem of craftsmanship and legacy, drawing inspiration from nature.
A documentary-style set of short films explores the influence on and of Charles Rennie Mackintosh through characters from different artistic disciplines that share the influence Mackintosh has had on them. Each film speaks to the shared values and synergies between The Macallan, Mackintosh and each of the characters.
A special thanks to The Hill House, House of an Art Lover, Mackintosh at the Willow and Macintosh Queen's Cross for access to some of the most cherished and iconic locations by Mackintosh.