The Macallan unveils 81-year-old ‘The Reach’ whisky in Nigeria

The Macallan has unveiled The Reach, an incomparable single malt whisky that reflects an extraordinary moment in time and exemplifies the enduring spirit that has been at the heart of the brand for 200 years in Nigeria. The event was held in Lagos recently.

Crafted in 1940 and notably the oldest expression of The Macallan brand, The Reach embodies ingenuity and unmistakable strength of character. Its very existence is a testament to the care and commitment to uncompromised excellence that has driven The Macallan, since it was founded in 1824. It also pays tribute to those who strived amid great adversity to resume distilling The Macallan’s spirit, as well as the craftspeople today who continue to uphold the brand’s values.

A rare single malt at 81 years old, ‘The Reach’ is the oldest whisky ever released by The Macallan; crafted from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask. The dark, precious whisky is encased in an exquisite mouth-blown glass decanter, cradled on a bronze sculpture of three hands.

Describing the notes of this expression, Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan, said, “Its deep auburn hue is the first hint of this remarkable whisky’s astonishing depth. Offering notes of dark chocolate, sweet cinnamon, and aromatic peat, leading on to treacle toffee, crystalised ginger and charred pineapple, before giving way to an intensely rich, sweet and smoky finish.”

Sculptor Saskia Robinson created the timeless sculpture featuring three hands, producing countless drawings from every perspective before working in the physical medium. The veins, nails and skin detail are recorded in extraordinary accuracy, modelled on an artist’s impression of a hand of one of those original distillery workers. The sculpture is cast in bronze and the glimmer of the metal contrasts beautifully with the dark amber whisky.

Speaking about the inspiration behind The Reach, Saskia Robinson, noted, “A key concept of ‘The Reach’ single malt is ‘legacy’ and it is a theme at the heart of what I hoped to evoke sculpturally, expressing this both visually and thematically. I wanted to bring to life the rich heritage of the whisky, and the sense of the passing of time and the intergenerational passing of knowledge, from the beginning of the process of creating it in 1940, to its maturation, to today and on a human level.”

Hammed Adebiyi, Brand Manager at Edrington Portfolio Nigeria, expressed his excitement for the upcoming launch stating, “The introduction of The Reach represents a monumental highlight for whisky aficionados in Nigeria. This expression of The Macallan embodies the pinnacle of craftsmanship.”

Rotimi Ige