The Macallan Edition Collection is a series of limited-edition single malt Scotch whiskies without age statements created by the Macallan distillery. The collection started in 2015 and ended in 2020. Each yearly expression has a unique theme, barrel maturation, and flavor profile.
The Macallan is known for launching many collections with themes like The James Bond 60th Anniversary Collection, The Fine and Rare Collection, The Macallan Folio Series, The M Collection, The Red Collection, and the Distill Your World, among others. The Edition Series caught many consumers by surprise when it launched in 2015 because it had a relatively low price point ($100-$150), released in quantities not typically associated with The Macallan’s most exclusive collections, and the company did not reveal its intent from a marketing standpoint. Nonetheless, by the time The Macallan Edition 2 launched in 2016, consumers understood the intent of Edrington Group to align the collection with The Macallan Six Pillars.
As the series progressed, I started wondering about the future value of the collection and if there would be an opportunity to make profits. Let’s take a look at each expression and compare its retail price at launch with its current market value, then estimate the market value of the collection.
All releases in this collection are non-age statements (NAS) single malts matured in different types of casks: Hogsheads (225-250 liters), Puncheons (450-500 liters), and (Butts = 475-500 liters) from several Spanish bodegas and ex-bourbon barrels.
These barrels either first fill (1st) or (2nd) second fill. Here is The Macallan Edition Series released in chronological order:
The Macallan Edition 1
Theme: Showcases the influence of The Macallan’s oak casks in the flavor of the whisky.
Year: 2015
Price Paid: $100
Cask Proportions: Butts (58%), Hogsheads (23%), and Puncheons (19%)
• European oak: Tevasa Butts (1st), Toleneria Hudo Butts (1st), J&M Martin Butts (1st), Gonzalez Byass Butts (1st), Tevasa puncheons (1st), Sherry Hogsheads (2nd), Sherry butts (2nd)
• American oak: Vasyma puncheons (1st)
Flavor Profile: This is a rich and full-bodied whisky with plenty of dried fruits and oak spices, resulting in malt with a thick texture consistent with a cask composition dominated by European/Sherry oak.
ABV: 48%
Estimated Market Value as of April 2023: $2,200
(Source: Whisky Hammer Auction-LOT #147012 Sold $2,056 4/31/2023)
The Macallan Edition 2
Theme: This release highlights innovative flavors through a partnership between The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno and the Roca brothers, co-founders of El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain. The three brothers (Joan-Head Chef, Josep-Sommelier, and Jordi-Pastry Chef) are owners of a three Michelin stars restaurant that put Catalan Cuisine on the map. According to the Breakthru Beverage Group, the restaurant has been named the best restaurant in the world by Restaurant magazine twice, in 2013 and 2015, and ranked No. 2 in 2011, 2012, and 2014.
Year: 2016
Price Paid: $139
Cask Proportions: Butts (52%), Hogsheads (21%), and Puncheon (27%)
• European oak: Josep’s pick: J&M Martin hogshead and puncheon (1st), Joan’s pick: Diego Martin butts (1st), Bob Dalgrano’s pick: Tevasa puncheon (1st)
• American oak: Jordi’s pick: Vasyma butts (1st) and puncheon (2nd), Joan’s pick: Diego Martin hogshead (2nd)
Flavor Profile: A medium-bodied whisky with dried fruits and oak spices but more fruity than Edition 1. Flavors of vanilla and honey from the American oak are very noticeable. This is a tasty malt for those looking for more balance between bourbon and sherry flavors.
ABV: 48.2%
Estimated Market Value as of April 2023: $400
Source: Whisky Hammer Auction-LOT #146210 Sold $544 4/30/2023)
The Macallan Edition 3
Theme: The focus is on the power of aroma in whisky. The Macallan partnered with Master Perfumer Roja Dove to create a unique sensory experience.
Year: 2017
Price Paid: $100
Cask Proportions: Butts (31%), Hogsheads (32%), Puncheon (30%), and Bourbon barrel (7%)
• European oak: Tevasa Butts (1st), refill butts (2nd), Tevasa butts and puncheons (1st), Tevasa hogsheads (1st), Bourbon barrels (1st)
• American oak: Hudosa butts (1st), refill butts (2nd), Bourbon hogsheads (1st)
Flavor Profile: I have not tasted this edition yet, but by the label, one can expect a sweet and fruity flavor profile with citrus, vanilla, floral, sherry, and oak spices.
ABV: 48.3%
Estimated Market Value as of April 2023: $281
Source: Whisky Hammer Auction-LOT #144410 Sold $354.28 4/30/2023)
The Macallan Edition 4
Theme: Edition four celebrates the opening of the new distillery in 2018 in the Easter Elchies, Speyside. This eco-friendly facility took 3.5 years to complete and a £140M investment. The roof design was one of the most challenging parts of the project and blends perfectly with the greenery of the surrounding landscape of The Macallan Estate.
Year: 2018
Price Paid: $130
Cask Proportions: Butts (42%), Hogsheads (40%), Puncheon (18%)
• European oak: Refill butts (2nd), refill hogsheads (2nd), Diego Martin Rosado butts (1st), J&M Martin butts (1st), Tevasa butts and puncheons (1st), and Tevasa hogsheads (1st)
• American oak: Refill butts (2nd), refill hogsheads (2nd),Vasyma hogsheads (1st)
Flavor Profile: A medium-balanced malt that resembles Edition 2 but highlights notes of apples and peaches even more. Notes of fresh fruits and spice are the highlights of the malt.
ABV: 48.4%
Estimated Market Value as of April 2023: $267
Source: Whisky Hammer Auction-LOT #144606 Sold $291.02 4/30/2023)
The Macallan Edition 5
Theme: The Macallan Edition No. 5 celebrates the commitment of the brand to natural color in all of its whiskies by partnering with masters at the Pantone Color Institute™ to create a unique shade of purple that features on the packaging.
To articulate the perception of natural color, Edition 5 is aged in 100% American oak.
Year: 2019
Price Paid: $120
Cask Proportions: Hogsheads (37%), Bourbon barrel (33%), Butt (30%)
• American Oak: Bourbon barrels (1st), Refill hogsheads butts (2nd), Tevasa hogsheads butts (1st), Vasyma butts (1st), and Hudosa hogsheads butts (1st)
Flavor Profile: A sweet flavor profile of caramel, and raisins that transition into ginger, clove, and pepper.
ABV: 48.5%
Estimated Market Value as of April 2023: $230
Source: Whisky Hammer Auction-LOT #144932 Sold $316.33 4/30/2023)
The Macallan Edition 6
Theme: The inspiration for this release is the River Spey that borders The Macallan Estate. The distillery partnered with Atlantic Salmon Trust to help raise awareness about the Atlantic salmon becoming an endangered species.
Year: 2020
Price Paid: $150
Cask Proportions: Butt (74%) and Hogsheads (26%). All casks are sherry seasoned.
• European oak: J&M Martin hogsheads (1st), Tevasa butts and hogsheads (1st)
• American oak: Tevasa butts (1st), refill butts (2nd), and Vasyma butts (1st)
Flavor Profile: Vanilla, oranges, and chocolate ad oak spices are the dominant flavors, but the texture does not feel as rich as that from other editions. Still enjoyable, perhaps my least favorite of the ones I have tried.
ABV: 48.6%
Estimated Market Value as of April 2023: $218
Source: Whisky Hammer Auction-LOT #144933 Sold $316.33 4/30/2023)
The Estimated Value of the Edition Collection
According to a professional whisky consultant/broker from the UK, The Macallan Edition series has several factors that will hinder its growth. Some of the most important ones are:
-None of the single malts have an age statement. This is important for valuation purposes because non age statements tend to be overlooked by serious collectors.
-The Edition series was massively produced: Edition 1 (120,000 bottles), Edition 2 (229,000 bottles), Edition 3 (250,000 bottles), Edition 4 (300,000 bottles), Edition 5 (260,000 bottles) and Edition 6 (350,000 bottles).
-Low entry point. The price of each bottle in the collection does not exceed $150.
Let’s see how the series performed since it closed in 2020 in a the global auction market.
June 25, 2021-Lot 45 Sold $3,750
October 4, 2022-Lot 70 Sold £3,000 ($3,700)
April 1, 2023-Lot 6067 Sold 52,500HDK ($6,600)
Source: Sotheby’s Auction
Final Comments
As I mentioned in a previous review, The Macallan is the most controversial brand in Scotch Whisky due to over-the-top marketing that creates haters among the whisky geek community. Having tried at least 15 releases of the Macallan, I can attest that a few have been quite disappointing. That said, I am not a Macallan hater, but able to recognize the quality of some expressions.
Regarding the appreciation of the collection over the course of nine years, The Edition Series shows slow growth. Perhaps in 15 years the collection will be in the $15,000 range. We will have to wait and see.
Ranking The Edition Series
I am not a whisky sommelier, so take my ranking of the collection with a grain of salt. From most to least favorite, here is my personal ranking:
#1. The Macallan Edition 1
#2. The Macallan Edition 2
#3. The Macallan Edition 4
#4. The Macallan Edition 5
I have not tasted The Macallan Edition 3 but could share it with my closest friends because I have one bottle of each release 🙂 If you’re interested in The Macallan, you can check reviews from some of the expressions here. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram.
Slainte!
