Photo courtesy The Macallan
The Macallan, known worldwide for its exceptional single malt whiskeys, has revealed The collection of anecdotes of the ages, a limited whiskey and art collaboration with a renowned British pop artist Sir Peter Blake that celebrates the legacy of their combined history.
The prestigious collection includes 13 unique bottles of exceptional whiskeys from 1967, each selected for their classic yet colorful character, representative of the year Sir Peter Blake’s art became part of pop culture. Each individual label features an original Sir Peter Blake collage containing unique stories about the history, community and natural landscape of The Macallan Estate from The Macallan. Each is designed to appeal to both The Macallan collectors and art enthusiasts. One of the original bottles will be auctioned by Sotheby’s to support the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum’s initiatives on diversity, equity, access and inclusion.
Sir Peter Blake. Photo courtesy The Macallan
“I am deeply inspired by The Macallan’s incredible legacy and its emphasis on family, tradition and nature,” said Blake, a member of the British pantheon of pop art, along with artists such as David Hockney, RB Kitaj and Joe Tilson, Allen Jones , Peter Phillips and Derek Boshier. “Each collage in The Anecdotes of Ages collection is inspired by the history and legacy of The Macallan, respecting time and craft, two essential parts of my own creative process. I’ve worked meticulously on each collage, putting together a collection from the rich history of The Macallan Estate that celebrates art and whiskey. ”
Photo courtesy The Macallan
Each bottle of Anecdotes of Ages is hand-blown with an oak stopper. The labels are signed by Sir Peter Blake. The collection is presented in a handcrafted European oak case containing miniature images, revealing Sir Peter Blake’s inspiring three decades journey with The Macallan. Also included is a leather-bound book with the 13 label artworks and their stories, as well as a certificate of authenticity. While the 13th original bottle is kept in the Macallan Archives, a highly limited whiskey with a double label and the same rare whiskey from 1967 is released as The Anecdotes of Ages Collection: Down to Work Limited Edition. Only 322 bottles will be available worldwide for an MSRP of $ 83,000.
“This exceptional 1967 whiskey was selected for its classic yet distinctively colorful character, reminiscent of Sir Peter Blake’s work that year,” said Sarah Burgess, senior whiskey maker at The Macallan. “With notes of oak and fig leading to a burst of hazelnut and strawberry, this is a really special single malt that ends with complex flavors of chocolate and lightly flavored peach. It’s a work of art in many ways. “
Sarah Burgess and Sir Peter Blake. Photo courtesy The Macallan
The collection of anecdotes of the age. Photo by Mary McCartney, courtesy of The Macallan
Whiskey and art lovers can explore the collection digitally here: The Macallan Anecdotes of Ages Virtual Art Exhibition. The digital journey begins in Sir Peter Blake’s studio and then leads to the Anecdotes of Ages gallery, which shows the inspiration for each of the 13 works of art on the Macallan bottles. Viewers can then experience The Macallan’s spiritual home at the Easter Elchies Estate before the world reveals the bottles with Sir Peter Blake’s handcrafted and original labels.
To learn more about The Macallan or to purchase The Anecdotes of Ages collection, visit www.themacallan.com.
