The Macallan distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located in Craigellachie, Moray and sits in close proximity to a ford across the river Spey. The distillery was founded by Alexander Reid in 1824 but under a different name as it started life known as the Elchies Distillery.
Macallan has since become the most sought-after whisky for collectors, rare expressions can change hands for thousands of dollars and it’s become the No.1 investment grade whisky world-wide. In 2009, it was reported that Macallan was the world’s third largest-selling single malt (behind Glenfiddich and Glenlivet) with over 500,000 cases a year, and second largest by value.
The Macallan has built its enviable reputation by focusing on the fact that they mature their core range in 100% sherry oak barrels that are brought in from Jerez, Spain. In 1986, the Japanese company Suntory bought out a quarter of the stocks and a decade later, Highland Distillers bought out the remaining stocks.