When Alexander Reid bought an estate in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside in 1824, it was because the combination of its fertile alluvial soil, which was perfect for barley cultivation, and its location by the River Spey, which has the purest water in the British Isles, held great promise for whisky making.
Almost two centuries later, this celebration of nature remains synonymous with the brand. This is evident at The Macallan House in Singapore, the brand’s newest experiential retail setting and the first of its kind in the world. Situated at Raffles Hotel and designed by award-winning British architect, Jamie Fobert, the 3,000 square foot space serves as a looking glass into The Macallan’s history, philosophy and innovation with elements that hint at the brand’s deep-seated relationship with nature.
The experiential journey begins in the main space where one can experience the four distinct microclimates of The Macallan Estate through sight and scent: the barley field, River Spey, the woodland, and the brand’s spiritual home, Easter Elchies House. Bottles of whisky serve as artwork on the wave-patterned panels, which mimic the roof design of The Macallan distillery and transport visitors to the natural topography of the Speyside region.
Copper walls pay homage to the distillery’s copper stills, which are one of the smallest in the single malt industry. Handmade by Scottish coppersmith company Forsyths, these squat stills allow for more precise and controlled distillation, adding to the whisky’s deep amber tones and flavour palate. Red is another dominating feature in The Macallan House as a nod to Reid’s penchant for the colour and the red door that ushers people into the Speyside distillery.
The use of high-quality sherry-distilled American and European oak in The Macallan’s maturation process is symbolically represented by the oak flooring as well as a striking textured wall that morphs into floating shelves, forming the backdrop to the bar area. Elsewhere, an undulating stone wall is reminiscent of the rolling hills of the Scottish countryside, while a large stone bar counter is a nod to the granite rocks around the Speyside distillery.
To lend a sense of place to the experience, two local artists were commissioned to create site-specific artworks. A freestanding sculpture is crafted out of green onyx by industrial, interior and architectural designer Nathan Yong, displaying The Macallan M Collection. Meanwhile, a woven fabric mural made of wool and silk by textile artist and Royal College of Art graduate Tiffany Loy reflects the warm amber hues of The Macallan’s whiskies.
In encapsulating the brand’s spirit of collaboration and love for craftsmanship, The Macallan House serves as a fitting gallery for the art of whisky-making—perfect for whisky enthusiasts, connoisseurs and new entrants alike.
The Macallan House is located at #01-07/08/09/10 Raffles Hotel Arcade. It is open from 11am to 8pm daily.
