The Macallan TIME : SPACE, is the most expensive whisky release

Calling all whisky lovers, the most exclusive and expensive whisky just landed from Macallan! Marking the 200th anniversary of the brand, it has just unveiled the Macallan TIME : SPACE. What makes this single malt scotch, so sought after, is that it is limited to just 200 pieces and the packaging celebrates the past and future of the brand.

The Vintage 

This extraordinary release features an exceptionally rare 1940 vintage, bottled in 2024. Matured for over eight decades, at 84 years old it is the oldest whisky ever released by The Macallan.  Paired with this is the inaugural whisky from our Distillery which opened in 2018, a remarkable 2018 vintage, bottled in 2024 and representing the future. Unusually for The Macallan, the 1940 whisky was distilled using peated malt barley in warehouses surrounded by the nature of Speyside. It was made from a first-fill American oak butt and second-fill European oak butt, both seasoned with sherry in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, and then matured in Scotland. the interaction between the maturing spirit and the sherry-seasoned European oak casks has created a single malt whisky with a rich natural colour and a full, long-lasting flavour unique to a malt of this great age.

The Design

The TIME: SPACE bottle was designed so that it could feature both the whiskies in harmony. With a futuristic design that is representative of a time machine, the outer chamber is a ring-shaped decanter holding the 1940 vintage and the inner chamber is a removable decanter holding the 2018 vintage.  The idea was to showcase time travel in a retro-futuristic way. The two interlocking vessels accentuate the colour of the whisky and American oak and European oak were selected to craft the display sculpture, as an homage to the brand’s commitment to sherry-seasoned oak casks.

The Flavours 

The flavours of the TIME: SPACE much like everything else are equally unique. The 1940 vintage, with 100% natural colour is bottled at 43.6 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV), is a deep, complex whisky with aromas of dark chocolate-coated ginger, sticky dates, and leather combined with antique oak and delicate hints of aromatic peat and ground coffee. The palate bursts with charred pineapple and stone fruits, leading to splashes of crystalised ginger, aniseed, blackberry jam, and sweet woodsmoke. The long finish delivers more notes of dark chocolate and toasted oak.

The inaugural single malt that comes housed in the vessel’s central chamber is more interesting and impactful. The 2018 vintage liquid is the first-ever whisky from The Macallan’s new distillery at the Easter Elchies estate in Scotland. Bottled at 54.9 per cent ABV, it offers vibrant notes of fresh green apple and ripe pears, leading onto rich sticky toffee, honey, vanilla custard and soft wood spice. The palate delivers golden sultanas and baked apples that develop into buttery pastry dusted in icing sugar, followed by hints of lemon and lime, alongside vanilla shortbread. The finish is medium in length and creamy with sweet oak notes.

Ultimately, TIME: SPACE is a remarkable fusion of the past and future. Do you want to experience it?