The Red Collection
A Study in Red
The inspiration behind the colour that embodies our oldest collection of whiskies to date.
A Multifaceted Colour

A Dream of Old
Journeying through The Red Collection
About The Colour Red
Red Facts
Primary
Red is a primary colour.
Wavelength
It has the longest wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometers.
First
Red is the first observable colour by human beings.
Language
The history of languages reveals that red is the first colour after black and white, which are hues, more than colours.
Red is in Our Roots

Red is Good
Alexander Reid
Reid is a surname of Scottish origin, meaning “red”. This surname is derived from a nickname, 'the Red,' a nickname usually given on account of a person’s ruddy face or the sanguine red complexion of their hair. Our founder, Alexander Reid carried this colour with him in his name from the very beginning of The Macallan.
Red is Better
Roderick Kemp
He was a shrewd businessman and a wine connoisseur. With a focus on excellence, Kemp dared to take The Macallan further than any of his predecessors, and used the colour red to indicate the distinction of a superior product.

An order for M. Ferguson in Calcutta, dated 25th October 1900, lists 31 cases – 62 gallons Macallan at 4/9 per gallon (Black labels) and 17 cases-34 gallons Choice Old Macallan at 5/7 per gallon (Red labels). We see an early distinction between ‘Macallan’ and ‘Choice Old Macallan’, the latter being of a greater, though indeterminate age, and thus of greater value
The Macallan Archival Records




Red is Best
Allan Shiach
A bright and creative mind—still today he works as a script-writer—during his tenure in the 1980s, Shiach took maturation and ageing to a whole new level with his release of 40 and 50 years old whiskies. Some of his rare bottles can be identified today by his signature red ribbon and seal.
Under the management of Allan Shiach, in October 1980, Macallan introduced three rare ‘vintage’ whiskies, dated 1938, 1940 and 1950, presented in special wooden boxes, with a red ribbon around the front label. The boxes were made by Mr Wilson, an undertaker and joiner in nearby Archies town. UK and overseas agents received an allocation, with their names printed on the label.
The Macallan Archival Records