MACALLAN - Carafe Reflexion - 43%
The Macallan is one of Scotland's most famous distilleries, and produces one of the world's biggest-selling single malt whiskies. Situated on the banks of the Spey river in the heart of Speyside, the distillery is based at Easter Elchies estate, which covers 158 hectares of farmland. The estate includes 37 hectares planted to barley, which is used in the production of the whisky. A new distillery building with a visitor center was opened on the property in June 2018. The ultra-modern facility has been cut into the hillside and features a spectacular, undulating, grass covered wooden roof. There are now 12 wash stills, plus 24 spirit stills (previously there were 14 stills in total which were reputedly the smallest in Speyside, although each has a capacity of 3,900 liters). The old stills are unique in having appeared on the back of a Scottish banknote.
The Macallan house style traditionally tended towards rich, fruity whiskies. This was a result of exclusively using Sherry casks to mature the spirit but since 2004, Bourbon casks have also been used.
Reflexion is part of The Macallan Masters Decanter Series, it is matured in smaller hogshead casks allowing a greater surface area of wood to interact with the whisky to deliver an intricate character influenced by both Spanish and American oak casks.
The distillery is owned by the Edrington Group, which also owns the Highland Park single malt, and the Famous Grouse and Cutty Sark blends.