The Macallan Colour Collection Series

The Macallan has launched the Colour Collection, a range of highly aged whiskies that is designed to celebrate the brand's commitment to natural colouring. The travel retail-exclusive range comprises five age-statement single malts from the Speyside distillery, all of which have been sherry cask matured (primarily in American oak, with some European oak).

The bottles in the collection sport a new stripped-back design, which shows off the varied colours of the individual age statements and is said to have been inspired by the brand's home, the Macallan Estate. It also marks the return to travel retail of age-statement whiskies from The Macallan, which have appeared less frequently since the launch of its first non-age-statement collection into travel retail in 2009.

• The Macallan Colour Collection 12 Years Old is the colour of sun-burnished hay, and offers aromas of lemon citrus and vanilla. On the palate, there’s honey and fruits, with a finish that recalls sweet sugary breakfast cereals. It’s going to please whisky newbies and enthusiasts alike.
• The Macallan Colour Collection 15 Years Old is an amber gold, and offers candied orange peel, vanilla and caramel on the nose. On the palate, there’s orange citrus and fresh pineapple. It’s slightly more complex, but equally approachable.
• The Macallan Colour Collection 18 Years Old is more auburn of hue, and is similarly intense on the palate. With chocolate and Seville orange notes, it reminded me of chocolate honeycomb Crunchie bars and the bitterness of expensive, chunky marmalade. It’s definitely a dram to savour.