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.
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
House of Hazelwood has unveiled the latest chapter in its accumulating archive of premium Scotch, releasing four new expressions under the Charles Gordon Collection. The Speyside-based custodian of the Gordon family’s extensive cask inventory, has built a reputation for premium curated bottlings, and these new offerings draw on nearly half a century of patient maturation.…
Willem Dafoe has stepped up his involvement with iconic Islay distillery Laphroaig, unveiling a limited-edition single malt, Willem by Willem, crafted in collaboration with Sarah Dowling, Laphroaig’s Senior Whisky Maker. Dafoe became a “Friend of Laphroaig” in 2025, a relationship which has since bloomed into a full blown creative collaboration. Working alongside Sarah Dowling, the…
The Luxe Review 
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.
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.
Hackstons acquires rare collection of Unicorn whiskies from Van Winkle, Weller and Buffalo Trace
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
Ultra-rare 1970s whiskies lead House of Hazelwood 2026 Charles Gordon Collection release
House of Hazelwood has unveiled the latest chapter in its accumulating archive of premium Scotch, releasing four new expressions under the Charles Gordon Collection. The Speyside-based custodian of the Gordon family’s extensive cask inventory, has built a reputation for premium curated bottlings, and these new offerings draw on nearly half a century of patient maturation.…
First pour: Laphroaig and Willem Dafoe deliver a bright, delicious take on Islay whisky
Willem Dafoe has stepped up his involvement with iconic Islay distillery Laphroaig, unveiling a limited-edition single malt, Willem by Willem, crafted in collaboration with Sarah Dowling, Laphroaig’s Senior Whisky Maker. Dafoe became a “Friend of Laphroaig” in 2025, a relationship which has since bloomed into a full blown creative collaboration. Working alongside Sarah Dowling, the…
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