Macallan Distillery

Overview

The Macallan Distillery is signposted from the village of Craigellachie and it is only about 2 miles from the village. The distillery is situated just off the B9102 to Archiestown.

The Macallan is a premium quality whisky, they insist upon the exclusive use of the traditional “Golden Promise” barley, and the maturing of the whisky in specially procured Sherry casks. Depending on the time of year, the access road to the distillery will be surrounded by fields of Golden Promise Barley. 

The Edrington Group, which owns the Macallan distillery, have taken the bold move to revamp the distillery and visitor centre so it is now the most modern and high technology looking distillery in Scotland. Where there were once large "sheds" for the mash tuns and still rooms, there are now cleverly landscaped semi-subterranean buildings that blend the distillery into the green fields of the landscape.  The building is a stunning piece of modern architecture that combines functionality with organic shapes and materials. We've deliberately kept some pictures of the old distillery buildings in the gallery so you can see just how radically different the new distillery buildings are.

Some might find the modernity of the distillery controversial in an industry so steeped in tradition, but it makes sense to us. The original distillery buildings were never going to have quite the same picturesque old world charm of a distillery such as nearby Strathisla. So the architects took the right decision to capitalise on the attractive rural setting of the distillery by blending it tastefully into the open farmland above the River Spey.

Advance booking is advised and can be done via the Macallan Distillery website.

A range of  distillery tour and tasting options are available for the whisky connoisseurs and these range from £35 to £250 which is a reflection of the rarity of the Macallan "expressions" that you will get to taste,

The Macallan Discovery Experience - A guided tour of the distillery that includes a tutored tasting of some carefully selected Macallan whiskies in the "Cave Priveé", before a visit to The Macallan Bar for a final whisky experience.
Price: £50.00 per person / Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes / Frequency: Saturday and Sunday at 11:00am

The Macallan Mastery Experience - This is a luxury experience for the gastronome. It combines tutored whisky tastings with a 2-course lunch that is paired with fine wines. After lunch, you are led on an in-depth production experience through the distillery, followed by a tutored tasting of exclusive expressions of Macallan whiskies selected from the "Cave Priveé". And if that isn't enough whisky for you, the tour price also includes a "whisky flight" in the Macallan Bar. You will also receive a commemorative engraved glass as a souvenir of your visit. After all that whisky and wine you might need something to help you remember the experience.
Price: £250.00 per person / Duration: 4 hours / Frequency: Saturday and Sunday at 12:00pm

Please note: During 3 weeks in July the distillery is closed for maintenance and NOT in production. During this 'silent season' special tour arrangements are in operation and must be checked with the distillery.