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.
Our love affair with Japanese whisky shows no sign of abating, as experimental producer Hatozaki brings the Fifth and Sixth Editions of its Omakase Collection to the UK – and they’re looking like exceptional value. Produced at the Kaikyō Distillery on the shores of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, the Hatozaki Omakase Collection takes its name…
Maker’s Mark has launched a new airport‑exclusive Artist Series, pairing its handmade Kentucky bourbon with limited‑edition labels inspired by major global cities. The collection forms part of a wider programme of travel‑retail exclusives from the distillery. Each release is defined not by a unique liquid or cask profile, but by its artwork. The whisky inside…
Chocolate has long been one of whisky’s favourite tasting notes. The Lakes Distillery has now made it the inspiration for an entire single malt. Its limited-edition Chocolatier expression has arrived in the UK following international recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026, where it became the only English whisky to receive a Gold…
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.
Experimental Japanese whisky producer Hatozaki brings Sakura and Mizunara editions to the UK
Our love affair with Japanese whisky shows no sign of abating, as experimental producer Hatozaki brings the Fifth and Sixth Editions of its Omakase Collection to the UK – and they’re looking like exceptional value. Produced at the Kaikyō Distillery on the shores of Japan’s Seto Inland Sea, the Hatozaki Omakase Collection takes its name…
Maker’s Mark bourbon unveils airport‑exclusive Artist Series with city‑inspired bottlings
Maker’s Mark has launched a new airport‑exclusive Artist Series, pairing its handmade Kentucky bourbon with limited‑edition labels inspired by major global cities. The collection forms part of a wider programme of travel‑retail exclusives from the distillery. Each release is defined not by a unique liquid or cask profile, but by its artwork. The whisky inside…
The Lakes Distillery brings award-winning Chocolatier single malt whisky to the UK
Chocolate has long been one of whisky’s favourite tasting notes. The Lakes Distillery has now made it the inspiration for an entire single malt. Its limited-edition Chocolatier expression has arrived in the UK following international recognition at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2026, where it became the only English whisky to receive a Gold…
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