The Macallan has unveiled the latest edition to its famed Fine & Rare Collection, Fine & Rare 1997. The series is the world’s largest assembly of vintage-dated, single malt whiskies.
The Macallan Fine & Rare 1997 matured in a single European first fill sherry seasoned European oak butt cask for over 26 years. The Scotch was distilled during a particularly historic year for Hollywood, with several record-breaking films and franchises landing in cinemas, including classic like Titanic, L.A. Confidential, Jackie Brown, Con Air, Men in Black, Tomorrow Never Dies, Good Will Hunting, and Air Force One among others.
The Macallan is no stranger to the screen, having appeared in a number of productions across the years. Famously, it has appeared in a number of the most recent James Bond movies, leading to the brand to release a whisky collection to celebrate the movie series’ 60th anniversary. Much like Hollywood’s record breaking 1997, The Macallan’s had its own exciting year as export sales overtook domestic sales for the first time in 1997 – with the USA as its biggest market. This 1997 Fine & Rare release from The Macallan pays homage to that landmark year.
On the nose, the whisky offers rich fruit aromas of dark cherries, Medjool dates, and raisins, accompanied by warming cinnamon, sticky toffee pudding, and aged oak. The palate delivers an initial sweetness with a nostalgic medley of vanilla, apple, and nutmeg giving way to an intense, rich oak with a depth of spice notes, warming aniseed, and clove. The finish is long and luxurious with a gentle caress of spices, sweetness and antique oak.
With only 538 bottles available, Fine & Rare 1997 features the cask number, year of distillation, and year of bottling printed on the label, while the age, strength, and volume are all handwritten in keeping with the tradition that began when the collection was born. Each bottle is encased in an FSC certified European oak presentation box which also contains information on how to record a Vintage Macallan Fine & Rare bottle in The Macallan Vintage Bottle Register in Easter Elchies House, the spiritual home of the brand located on The Macallan Estate.
Tim Walker photographed Fine & Rare 1997, capturing a year that was captivated by the glamor and allure of Hollywood. Using the neon lights of his hometown cinema as inspiration, Tim Walker has brought this year to life with his charming and nostalgic stop-motion film which pays homage to that historic year for Hollywood and The Macallan. Tim Walker and Tony Ivanov co-directed the film, with Tamsin Scott styling.
The Macallan 1997 Edition will be available globally beginning October 2023 for $14,000 at select premium retailers around the world. For more information, head over to the brand’s official website.
Last year, The Macallan added Fine & Rare 1989 to the collection.