There are times when doing things differently, even if it means going against conventional wisdom, is non-negotiable because that’s where the true marks of distinction and time-honoured tradition lie. This is exactly what The Macallan chose to do for its M Copper release, the brand-new expression of its limited-edition M Collection 2022 series.
The M Collection 2022 highlights a range of single malts that celebrate The Macallan’s acclaimed Six Pillars—the foundation stones and guiding principles that embody the rich character and renowned quality of the brand’s distinctive and exceptional whiskies.
It is only befitting then that the vibrant and elegant The Macallan M Copper 2022 Release pays tribute to the unique copper stills that have been used by The Macallan since its founding in 1824, staying true to the brand’s ethos of tradition and quality before quantity. The release is a nod to The Macallan’s pillar of Curiously Small Spirit Stills that are an integral part of the distillation process, pivotal in whisky-making to create a rich spirit of exceptional quality and character.
Operating these traditional and handmade stills reflects the authenticity that drives the brand through its dedication to innovative methods. They are, in fact, some of the smallest within the Scotch whisky industry, but they play an integral role in crafting The Macallan’s dense and full-bodied spirits.
The short, squat nature of the stills maximises the contact of the spirit with the copper, helping to concentrate the new-make spirit. As the liquid is heated, the alcohol boils and turns to vapour, travelling over the neck of the still, where it cools and is condensed back into liquid. With larger and taller stills, the alcohol vapour has a longer way to travel, resulting in heavier vapours falling back into the boil and only the lighter vapours reaching the condenser. In contrast, small stills significantly reduce the alcohol vapour’s travel time, allowing the flavour of the spirit to concentrate, thereby creating the rich and robust character that The Macallan single malts are renowned for.
This uniquely dense and full-bodied spirit subsequently ensures that the whisky can be matured for a longer time, giving the spirit more time to soak up all the intricate flavours from their wood casks.
The small stills contribute to The Macallan M Copper 2022 Release’s rich, oily and creamy texture (ABV: 42 percent), resulting in a buttery, viscous mouth coating, bursting with fruitiness and a hint of sweet malt. On the nose, expect unique flavours of sweet banana, pear and white peach combined with malty biscuit, marshmallow, vanilla and a touch of citrus lemon. This is followed by a palate of pear drops, caramelised banana and sherbet, developing into malt and spiced oak, and a long finish of smooth toasted oak.
The Macallan M Copper 2022 Release has a recommended retail price of $11,530 and is available at The Macallan Boutique at Raffles Hotel Singapore.
