Macallan has revealed the Tree of Life collection, two limited-edition single malt Scotch whiskies which pay homage to Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868–1928), a prominent member of the 'Glasgow School' art movement. Both expressions are inspired by Mackintosh's 1902 stained-glass panel, The Spirit of the Rose.
The older whisky in the collection is the Tree of Life by the Macallan, a 46-year-old whisky drawn from two sherry-seasoned oak casks. Macallan says the chosen age statement alludes to a key moment in Mackintosh's life; when he was 46 he moved to the countryside in Suffolk, England, where he created "some of his finest art".
Kirsteen Campbell, master whisky maker, for the Macallan, said: "This exceptional 46 Years Old single malt, selected to mark the age that Mackintosh reconnected with nature, offers a unique, vibrant and complex expression of the Macallan matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks."
Describing the whisky's flavour profile, Campbell continued: "Tropical fruits charred over smouldering peat embers are balanced with complex wood spice. Notes of antique oak are characteristic of higher aged expressions from the Macallan and evoke Mackintosh’s unique designs crafted from wood, in Scotland, many years ago."
Just 112 decanters of the whisky will be released, each with a crystal rose stopper inspired by the Spirit of the Rose. The whisky is presented in a sculpture intended to reflect the metalwork Mackintosh used in his architectural designs.
Released alongside the 46-year-old whisky is Art is the Flower, a no-age-statement single malt named for a lecture given in 1902 by Mackintosh which began with those words. The quote was selected for the whisky by the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society.
The Macallan says the Art is the Flower bottling is inspired by Mackintosh's time in Europe, with notes of raisin, oak, cherry, and almonds developed from sherry-seasoned European oak casks.
Steven Bremner, whisky maker at the Macallan, commented: "To truly capture a spirit that depicts Mackintosh’s essence and inspiration, we had to draw upon our own artistry. We had the freedom to tap into our entire inventory, identifying casks that have reached their peak maturation, which added an extra layer of character and complexity. European oak was key as it delivers beautiful oak notes, spices, and dried fruit, but crucially also delicate notes of fruits that bear their own blossoms."
The Tree of Life collection has been launched alongside a series of short documentary-style films featuring artists, architects, and historians and exploring Mackintosh's influence on their work.
Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, who collaborated on the project, commented: “Mackintosh had a unique style that continues to influence artisans and global projects even today, and the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society was delighted to collaborate with the Macallan on this new collection — a true collaboration of art, whisky, and poetry, inspired by The Spirit of the Rose.”
The Tree of Life by the Macallan (46.2% ABV) is available to purchase through invitation from the Macallan, with price available upon application. The Macallan Art is the Flower (50.4% ABV) will be available to purchase from 6 May 2025 from the Macallan and specialist retailers.
