If you’re going to sell rare whisky for millions of dollars, you can probably afford some upgrades.
At a cost of over $250+ million, The Macallan’s new Distillery and Visitor Experience in Speyside is still located on the same property that’s housed the single malt Scotch distillers since 1824. Designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, better known for their work on non-boozy endeavors like Terminal 4 Madrid Barajas Airport and International Towers in Sydney, the new building is a marvel — and different from any distillery concept we’ve ever witnessed.
Cut into the slope of the land, The Macallan property actually blends into the Scottish landscape. A 380,000-part timber roof shelters an array of stills that replicate the same ones used by the brand since the 1950s — that being said, the distillery can now increase production by a third.
On site, Scotch fans will be able to engage in immersive experiences, including dram tastings and “tech-driven interaction” with various exhibits that showcase the whisky production process, emphasizing the “Six Pillars” that influence the spirit during each step.
The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience officially opens June 2.
(Photos: Ian Gavan)
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