Founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, the Elchies Distillery as it was known initially, did not become the Macallan-Glenlivet in name until 1892. Since then, it has undergone massive expansion with Edrington and William Grant & Sons combining forces in 1999 to purchase Highland Distillers for £601 million. By then, the reputation of the distillery for its sherry-led style of whisky was already firmly in place.
The new ownership model has enabled the distillery to produce new ranges, reach out to new demographics and establish itself as an international brand of quality. Bottles are Macallan are increasingly sought after for their commodity value and not the contents, which often are of high quality. Moving to a new distillery site in recent years, will in the long-term, allow Macallan to produce more and if needed, the old distillery sits idle despite being capable of producing 11 million litres before it closed in 2018.
• Region: Speyside (Upper Spey, near the village of Easter Elchies)
• Known for: Producing elegant, rich Speyside single malts with a strong focus on sherry-matured whisky. Known for traditional floor maltings (used selectively for special batches) and slow distillation, creating a layered, full-bodied spirit.
• Signature style: Dried fruits, dark chocolate, rich sherry sweetness, roasted nuts, orange peel, vanilla, gentle oak spice, and a rounded, velvety texture.
• Casks used: Primarily European oak Oloroso sherry casks, alongside American oak sherry-seasoned hogsheads, bourbon barrels, and occasional PX or red wine finishes for limited editions.
• Notes: Often associated with a classic Speyside sherried profile, Elchies is respected for its focus on wood quality and long-term maturation. Its character reflects traditional Speyside craftsmanship — rich, fruity, and complex — with cask-driven depth being central to its style. While not as globally known as some neighbouring distilleries, Elchies is admired by enthusiasts who appreciate robust, sherry-led whisky.
Our whisky casks are sourced exclusively from some of Scotland’s most prestigious
and renowned distilleries, ensuring exceptional quality and true provenance.
