Macallan 1971 Samaroli Sherry Wood / Curved Distillery Label

It may be hard to imagine today, but for much of the 20th century, Macallan was primarily a constituent malt in blends. It was not until the 1980s downturn in the market that the distillery decided to focus on its single malt brand. Fortuitously, this coincided with the crest of a wave of enthusiasm for the high quality releases that the distillery had licensed to Campbell, Hope & King and Gordon & MacPhail in the 1960s and 1970s. These remain some of the most collectible on the market. While global single malt sales volume is still lead by Speyside neighbours, Glenfiddich and Glenlivet, Macallan is easily the most sought after. So much so in fact, that they had to open a brand new distillery in 2018, a subterranean architectural masterpiece within the Easter Elchies estate, boasting 36 copper pot stills.

This Macallan was distilled in 1971 and matured in a pair of sherry casks, #16 and #17. It was by Samaroli bottled in 1995, and features the classic 'Curved Distillery Name' label style. This is one of three Macallan bottled in this style between 1992 and 1995, including a 1977 vintage and a private cask bottling for a Mr A. Bleve in Rome. All are highly sought after.

This is an early example of a Samaroli bottling actually filled by Silvano's own company, as his long-running contract with R.W. Duthie in Aberdeen had ended not long before.

Samaroli are perhaps Italy's most revered independent bottler of Scotch whisky. With an impeccable taste in single cask whiskies, and an eye for aesthetics (if not English spelling at times!), founder Silvano Samaroli is regarded by many as a visionary. Since his passing in 2017, the company has been run by his friend Antonio Bleve, who continues his tradition of high quality releases. Many of Silvano’s early bottlings occupy deserved spots on the pantheon of all-time whisky greats.

One of 540 bottles.