Dining

Discover the secrets of whisky Warehouse No 7 with The Macallan Estate Pioneers Experience

The Macallan Pioneers Experience actors

Visitors to The Macallan Estate this summer are being offered an immersive theatrical experience like no other, as performers dramatise the real-life story of Janet Harbinson, who ran the estate during the Interwar period, before taking a unique tour of the distillery.

This all-new Pioneers Experience will reveal the backstory to The Macallan’s 485-acre estate, transporting guests back in time, where they’ll be met by some of the most notable characters from the distillery’s past, while enjoying a picnic lunch.

This three hour experience will also enable the curious to explore areas of The Macallan distillery not usually open to the public, including Warehouse No 7, one of brand’s oldest warehouses. 

This three hour experience will enable the curious to explore areas of The Macallan distillery not usually open to the public…

Janet Harbinson, known as ‘Nettie’, was a pivotal figure in The Macallan’s history. In 1918, following the passing of her husband, Harbinson made the momentous decision to take over the running of the distillery, and in turn restore heart to the local community. 

The promenade theatre experience on the banks of the River Spey, is written by actress Debra Weston, whose film credits include Patriot Games and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, follows Nettie’s journey, moving through time and taking in rarely-seen locations around the Estate.  

Naturally, guests will also be served select drams of The Macallan single malt Scotch whisky along the way. The experience culminates with a full-blown whisky production tour.

The Macallan Estate Pioneers Experience runs July 7 – 23 2023. It’s not to be missed.

To preview the show, The Macallan brought the entire company, along with a recreation of the iconic Estate, to London for an exclusive one-off performance, and we can heartily recommend it. A witty script is delivered with gleeful verve by the actors; it’ll really get you into the spirit of the spirit. 

As part of the show, we had the opportunity to taste an aromatic new make spirit (63.6% ABV), to better appreciate The Macallan’s signature character pre-wood, followed by a Valdespino sherry.

The Macallan is renowned for its use of Sherry casks, and recently bought a 50 per cent stake in Jerez-based Grupo Estevez, purveyors of Valdespino sherry, to ensure a sustainable supply of sherry-seasoned oak casks. 

This was followed by a dram of Edition No.6. Bottled at 48.6 % ABV, this single malt offers chocolate and nutmeg on the nose, and toffee and oranges on the palate.

Our experiential evening culminated with a tasting of The Macallan 18 Year Old. This sherry-seasoned delight has an aroma of vanilla and cinnamon, with notes of spices and cloves, and mince pies and Christmas pud on the palate. 

Tickets for The Macallan Estate Pioneers Experience are £80.  To book visit themacallan.com

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and Editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Good Housekeeping, Louder Sounds, StereoNet and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter/X, Tiktok and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK