The Macallan Introduces The Tree Of Life Collection Inspired By Charles Rennie Mackintosh

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, April 29, 2025 – The Macallan unveils The Tree of Life Collection, featuring two extraordinary, limited-edition single malt Scotch whiskies crafted in homage to the enduring legacy of visionary Scottish artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Continuing The Macallan's rich history of creative partnerships across fashion, art, and gastronomy, this new collection blends whisky craftsmanship with artistic expression while celebrating cultural heritage through ambitious design and ongoing innovation.

Recognizing 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 honor 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 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 moved 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.

Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: "This exceptional 46 Years Old single malt, selected to mark the age that Mackintosh reconnected with nature, offers a unique, vibrant and complex expression of The Macallan matured in sherry seasoned oak casks. Tropical fruits charred over smouldering peat embers are balanced with complex wood spice. Notes of antique oak are characteristic of higher aged expressions from The Macallan and evoke Mackintosh’s unique designs crafted from wood, in Scotland, many years ago.”

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. 

Jaume Ferras, Creative Director, The Macallan, commented: “The Macallan and Charles Rennie Mackintosh share a reverence for nature, a guiding force in artistry and craftsmanship and this is showcased within the Tree of Life by The Macallan across both releases. We have been able to take inspiration from Mackintosh’s idiosyncratic depictions of nature and reflect this in the exemplary art of whisky making, creating two exceptional new whisky releases.”

Complementing this exceptional release is The Macallan Art is the Flower, a single malt Scotch whisky showcasing the exemplary art of whisky making. 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. This poetic excerpt was selected by The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society – an independent charity, established in 1973 to promote and encourage awareness of Mackintosh – to commemorate the special significance of poetry.

Art is the Flower 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-colored expression with naturally developed flavors, derived from sherry seasoned European Oak casks. These include notes of raisin and fig, polished oak, cherry and almonds.

Steven Bremner, Whisky Maker, The Macallan commented: “To truly capture a spirit that depicts Mackintosh’s essence and inspiration, we had to draw upon our own artistry. We had the freedom to tap into our entire inventory, identifying casks that have reached their peak maturation, which added an extra layer of character and complexity. European oak was key as it delivers beautiful oak notes, spices and dried fruit, but crucially also delicate notes of fruits that bear their own blossoms.”

To further explore the shared passion for creativity – seen through ambitious design and ongoing innovation – alongside an admiration for nature that inspired these exceptional releases, they are accompanied by a series of short documentary style films, celebrating the profound connection we share with the natural world.

The series features artists, architects, and historians, exploring Mackintosh’s influence on their work, including renowned fashion designer, Christopher Kane. Kane, inspired by Mackintosh during his time at The Glasgow School of Art, reflected this in his 2018 Resort Collection, which used motifs from art and nature from Mackintosh’s Hill House in Helensburgh, Scotland.

Stuart Robertson, Director of The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, who collaborated on the project, commented: “Mackintosh had a unique style that continues to influence artisans and global projects even today, and The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society was delighted to collaborate with The Macallan on this new collection – a true collaboration of art, whisky and poetry, inspired by The Spirit of the Rose.” 

The Macallan Art is the Flower is a limited-edition release and will be available starting April 29th, 2025 for an SRP of $1,000 through invitation to purchase and select retailers across the US. For further information on purchasing The Tree of Life By The Macallan, please contact Client Services.

For further information visit macallan.com  

Special thanks to The Hill House, House of an Art Lover, Mackintosh at the Willow and Macintosh Queen's Cross for access to some of the most cherished and iconic locations by Mackintosh.

Whisky Maker’s Notes:

THE TREE OF LIFE BY THE MACALLAN

• Nose: Tropical fruits charred over smoldering peat embers and elegant antique oak. Zesty citrus balanced by soft vanilla with subtle notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Palate: Smoky peat leads into layers of tropical fruit and dark chocolate covered raisins. Elegant oak is revealed alongside complex wood spice. 
• Finish: Aromatic smoke. Vibrant with refined complexity. 
• ABV: 46.2%

ART IS THE FLOWER

• Nose: Rich dried fruits; raisins and fig, polished oak, cherry, orange, almonds and treacle.
• Palate: Sweet oak, raisins, vanilla and ginger, apple and a whisp of leaf tea.
• Finish: Long, sweet, rich and full.
• ABV: 50.4%

About The Macallan

The Macallan is renowned worldwide for its extraordinary single-malt whiskies. Two centuries have passed since Alexander Reid, founder of The Macallan, distilled the first batch of whisky in his curiously small stills in Speyside, Scotland, in 1824, beginning the extraordinary legacy of the single malt Scotch whisky.

An obsession with quality and craftsmanship is the hallmark of The Macallan. The outstanding quality and distinctive character of each whisky is influenced by exceptional oak casks seasoned with sherry wine - a commitment to natural color underpinned by mastery. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, The Macallan Distillery is located on a beautiful 485-acre Estate and takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills.

The past 200 years have been a prologue for everything that is still to come. This is a journey through time. This is The Macallan, 200 Years Young. Crafted without compromise. Please savor The Macallan responsibly. For further information visit themacallan.com and become a member of The Macallan Society to explore the stories behind the whiskies.