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THE NINETIES

Photography by Tim Walker

Earth Matters

While some news in the 1990s was, as with every decade, earth shattering, earth mattering stories became increasingly notable. Concern for the planet was on the march.

On Easter Elchies Estate, this was hardly revolutionary. Then, as now, The Macallan revelled in its natural home, beside the River Spey, in a peaceful, rural setting. The elements of whisky making – spring water, barley, oak – were patiently combined to create superlative single malt whisky. Profound respect for the local flora, fauna and landscape was evidenced in the responsibility shown towards them. That ethos continues to this day in a fully sustainable drive towards zero carbon.

The Fine & Rare 1993 is therefore neither the outturn, nor the upshot, of some passing fad. Warmly redolent, it was selected for its balance, influenced by the harmony of the spirit, the particular sherry seasoned American oak and the time spent in cask. It is, absolutely, a crafted product of its era. As with quirks in the weather, so there are joyful accents, natural variations that make the bottlings of Fine & Rare single malts from The Macallan such magic.

NELSON MANDELA VISITED SCOTLAND AS

APARTHEID WAS BEING DISMANTLED. THE

MAASTRICHT TREATY WAS FINALLY NEGOTIATED,

SIMULTANEOUSLY CREATING THE EUROPEAN

UNION AND LIGHTING A LONG FUSE UNDER

BRITISH POLITICS. THE FIRST TRAINS TOOK

TEST RUNS THROUGH THE CHANNEL TUNNEL.

THE NINETIES

THE MACALLAN FINE & RARE COLLECTION

YEAR BOTTLED2013

AGE OF WHISKY22 Years Old

COLOUR Rich Mahogany

1990 | Nelson Mandela is released from prison in South Africa. Glasgow enjoys a year in the spotlight as the European Capital of Culture, and West Germany wins the World Cup, prior to reunification with East Germany later in the year. The first digital camera goes on sale in the US, and the first known web page is written. UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigns and is replaced by John Major.

TINT60

TOTAL OUTTURN481 Bottle Equivalents

AVAILABILITY750ml, 700ml, 50ml

NOSEOrange groves at sunset.Chocolate, then driedfruits (raisin, sultanaand apricot) accompaniedby sweet resinous flavoursdriven by the oak.

PALATESoft chocolate leadsbriefly, exiting, a burstof rich cherry and raisinis mouth coating,uncovering layers oftreacle. Spices show latenever dominating yetlinger to the finish whichis long and warming.

FINISHLong and warming.

STRENGTH 58.2%volNatural Cask Strength

CASK TYPEButt

CASK Noo.24706

“ The two most powerful warriors are PATIENCE and TIME.” LEO TOLSTOY

THE MACALLAN FINE & RARE COLLECTION THE MACALLAN FINE & RARE COLLECTION

YEAR BOTTLED2016

AGE OF WHISKY25 Years Old

COLOUR Glossy Cinnamon

1991 | Bill Clinton announces that he will run for US President and, as the Soviet Union rapidly falls apart, Boris Yeltsin is elected President of the Russian SFSR in Moscow. Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the rock group, Queen, died at the age of 45, and ‘Dances with Wolves’ won the Oscar for best picture. In South Africa, the last legal foundations of Apartheid are repealed and sanctions are lifted.

TINT52

TOTAL OUTTURN500 Bottle Equivalents

AVAILABILITY750ml, 700ml, 50ml

NOSEClassic aromas of apple,dried fruit and vanillaare followed by ginger,nutmeg and almonds.

PALATESweet spice, raisin andfig. Soft yet intense.

FINISHLingering notes offruit, soft yet resinousoak and refined velvet sweetness.

STRENGTH 49.4%volNatural Cask Strength

CASK TYPEPuncheon

CASK Noo.7021

YEAR BOTTLED2020

AGE OF WHISKY27 Years Old

COLOUR Warm Mahogany

1993 | ‘Jurassic Park’ is the big summer blockbuster. In sport, Manchester United wins the new FA Premier League to become champions for the first time in 26 years. The top-selling single is ‘I’d Do Anything For Love’ by Meat Loaf. ‘Trainspotting’ by Scottish novelist Irvine Welsh is published and the first issue of the ‘Easter Elchies Digest’ is sent to loyal fans of The Macallan.

TINT72

TOTAL OUTTURN256 Bottle Equivalents

AVAILABILITY750ml, 700ml, 50ml

NOSEVanilla fudge and citrus merge with bright fruits of red cherry, plum and peach. A rich fig and spiced combination of cinnamonand ginger. Hints of saltedpopcorn combined with peach,figs and cherries. Rich antiqueoak leather and cigar box.

PALATESweet oak, combined with richdark chocolate. Caramelisedgrapefruit blends into vanilla.Moving into wood spices ofginger, hints of citrus and a light liquorice, antique oak, mint, forest fruits and dark chocolate.

FINISHLong with a rich gingerand chocolatey intensity.

STRENGTH 50.2%volNatural Cask Strength

CASK TYPEHogshead

CASK Noo.3939

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