Imagine a world where time stands still. Where your senses are heightened and the present moment is slowed, stretched, and distilled.

The sixth edition of The Masters of Photography story presents a distinctive and arresting place that brings together people and objects and transforms them into something incredible.

This is the world created by master of art and visionary photographer, Steven Klein. As one of the most challenging and provocative artists in photography and film, Klein’s riveting body of work consumes viewers and entices them into his extreme vision.

In an exploration of The Macallan’s most important ingredient, time, Klein alters the rhythm of the series and puts a unique spin on this continuing collaboration by taking it beyond the click of the shutter into the moving image.

Klein oversaw every detail of the film from the casting to the set design and partnered with Thom Browne for the costumes, which have both a futuristic and old-fashioned feel. He explains, “The idea is the perception of time. Is time an illusion? Does time really exist? And the idea of our perception of time. Where one is in the past, present and future.”

Klein’s vision is inspired and enriched by the most innovative trio in the world of cuisine, the Roca brothers, of El Celler de Can Roca in Spain. Masters of creativity and innovation, they push every boundary possible in the culinary sphere to challenge, inspire, and create memorable experiences. Creating specialist bartools and glassware as well as unique serves of The Macallan single malt that appear in the artwork itself, Klein talks about the El Celler de Can Roca approach as an “ideology of food and whisky that gives a truly different perspective.”

Klein creates his own narrative to connect The Macallan and El Celler de Can Roca, woven around intrigue, mystery and passion. The result is a stunning tableau that captures, dissects and distills a single moment in time on film alongside ten individual images from the same compelling scene.

The Whisky

Klein's vision and creativity is embodied further by The Masters of Photography: Steven Klein Edition Whisky. Limited to only 1,000 bottles worldwide, it is a single malt of stand-out quality that captures an ultimate The Macallan moment.

Inspired by time past, peated notes represent the smokiness of the industrial setting portrayed by Klein. This is combined with a selection of incredible casks, giving a whisky with sweetness, mystique and vibrancy unseen before in any The Macallan whisky. The first ever use by The Macallan of Rioja seasoned casks contribute pinkish tints in the whisky’s rich dark colour, reflective of Steven Klein’s own colour palette.

The Masters of Photography: Steven Klein Edition is presented in a stunning leather presentation case containing the limited edition whisky, 1 of 10 signed Steven Klein colour prints and a distinctive black horse’s head bottle stopper designed by Klein himself. This limited edition is further enhanced by a range of alchemic bar tools to create serves and flavour experiences created by the Roca brothers.

Nose

Sweet berries to the fore, tempered with hints of chalk and light vanilla. Dried fruits ripen but are still to open. Period oak, reminiscent of classrooms and gym halls. Ginger is caramelised, sweet and yet drying. Orange rounds out with a wisp of smoke.

Palate

Sweet spice lingers, then opens up to show subtle smokiness: brief then gone. A moment in time, as if it was never there. Dark chocolate, orange zest. Resinous oak is soft and textured. Wood smoke shows late.

Finish

Medium to long. Soft, rich fruit, ending in wood smoke.