“THE TREE OF LIFE"COLLECTION BY MACALLAN - A FITTING TRIBUTE TO CHARLES RENNIE MACKINTOSH

The Macallan unveils the new “The Tree of Life” Collection with two limited edition single malt Scotch whiskies, crafted in homage to the enduring legacy of visionary Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh..

Recognising a shared devotion to creativity and craftsmanship, the two expressions – The Tree of Life by The Macallan and Art is the Flower – have both been meticulously crafted to honour the circularity of nature and draw inspiration from Mackintosh’s iconic 1902 stained-glass panel, ‘The Spirit of the Rose.’ 

The rarer of the two releases, The Tree of Life by The Macallan is a 46 Years Old single malt Scotch whisky. It was crafted from two sherry seasoned oak casks from 1979 that matured peacefully across the decades in Speyside, Scotland. The whisky’s complex profile not only reflects its maturity but also resembles a key moment in Mackintosh’s life. At 46 years old he travelled to the countryside to take a break from architecture and reconnect with nature, and produced some of his finest art. Together, the release tells a story of artistry, inspiration and the spirit of Mackintosh’s craftsmanship. 

With only 112 decanters available globally, the whisky rests in a beautiful Lalique crystal vessel finished with a crystal rose stopper inspired by ‘The Spirit of the Rose.’ An exquisite sculpture envelops the vessel, inspired by the intricate metalwork Mackintosh designed to adorn his architecture.  

Complementing this exceptional release is The Macallan Art is the Flower, a single malt Scotch whisky showcasing the exemplary art of whisky making. This expression is inspired by Mackintosh’s extraordinary depictions of nature in architecture and art, namely his interior design piece, ‘The Spirit of the Rose’ stained glass-panel. This whisky evokes Mackintosh’s time in Europe and presents a deep-coloured expression with naturally developed flavours, derived from sherry seasoned European oak casks. These include notes of raisin and fig, polished oak, cherry and almonds. 

The name, ‘Art is the Flower’, comes from a 1902 lecture by Mackintosh, which began with those very words and showcased the parallels between art, nature and the soul. The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society – an independent, non-profit making charity, established in 1973 to promote and encourage awareness of Mackintosh – selected this poetic excerpt, to commemorate the special significance of poetry.