The Macallan Launches The Anecdotes of Ages Collection with Sir Peter Blake

The Macallan has unveiled The Anecdotes of Ages Collection, a limited-release whisky and art collaboration with British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake.

The Anecdotes of Ages Collection celebrates the legacy and history of Blake and The Macallan. At the heart of the collection are 13 one-of-a-kind bottles of 1967 whisky, chosen for its “classic yet distinctly colorful character representative of the year that Sir Peter Blake’s collage style transcended the art world into pop culture,” the company says.

Each bottle features an individual Blake collage art on the label, detailing stories relating to The Macallan. One of the original bottles will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in support of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum’s diversity, equity, access and inclusion initiatives.

“I am deeply inspired by the incredible legacy of The Macallan, and its emphasis on family, tradition and the natural world,” says Blake. “Each collage in The Anecdotes of Ages Collection is inspired by The Macallan’s history and heritage, one that respects time and craft, two essential components of my own creative process. I meticulously worked on each collage, pulling from The Macallan Estate’s rich history to complete a collection that is a celebration of art and whisky.”

Each of the 13 original Anecdotes of Ages bottles are hand-blown with an oak stopper, and feature a label signed by Blake. Presented in a European oak case incorporating thumbnail photography about Blake’s journey with The Macallan, the expressions are also accompanied by a leather-bound book showcasing all 13 label artworks and corresponding stories, as well as a certificate of authenticity.

While the 13th bottle will be retained in The Macallan archive, a highly limited-edition whisky featuring a duplicate label and the same 1967 whisky will release as The Anecdotes of Ages Collection: Down to Work Limited Edition.

Only 322 bottles will be available worldwide for an SRP of $83,000 per 750-ml. bottle.

British pop artist Sir Peter Blake with Sarah Burgess, The Macallan lead whisky maker.“This exceptional 1967 whisky was chosen for its classic yet distinctively colorful character, which is reminiscent of Sir Peter Blake’s work of the same year,” says Sarah Burgess, The Macallan lead whisky maker. “With notes of oak and fig leading to a burst of hazelnut and strawberry, this is a truly special single malt that finishes with complex flavors of chocolate and lightly spiced peach. It is in many ways, its own work of art.” 

To round out the collection, a specially created whisky inspired by The Macallan and Blake’s “shared appreciation of beauty, nature and legacy” — An Estate, A Community, and A Distillery — will launch for an SRP of $1,200. It’s displayed in a custom box inspired by Blake’s art, alongside a certificate outlining the art’s history and heritage, and Blake’s artwork printed on a scroll. 

The Macallan Anecdotes of Ages Virtual Art Exhibit is a virtual exploration where art and whisky enthusiasts have opportunity to digitally explore The Anecdotes of Ages Collection. Consisting of three galleries, this 360-virtual environment is part of a global trend that sees the expansion of digital art experiences.  

Digital attendees of The Macallan Anecdotes of Ages Virtual Art Exhibit begin their journey in the Blake studio. Here they learn about his pioneering pop art and collage style. Next, they explore the Anecdotes of Ages gallery, showcasing the inspiration behind each of the artworks that Blake created to tell the story of 13 bottles of The Macallan, before the world reveal of the bottles with Blake’s original label artwork. 

This follows the recent release of The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection 1993 Edition.The post The Macallan Launches The Anecdotes of Ages Collection with Sir Peter Blake first appeared on Beverage Dynamics.
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Author: Kyle Swartz