December 16 2019  |  Spirits & Tobacco

Taking over the airwaves: in partnership with Lalique, The Macallan completes its 1930s-inspired Golden Age of Travel Series

By Laura Shirk


Created by Piñavall in Ubrique, Spain, each limited-edition decanter in the Golden Age of Travel series is encased within a premium leather presentation box and evokes design elements of classic 1930s travel trunks

The Macallan has revealed the fifth, and final, release from its Golden Age of Travel series, bringing the brand’s exploration of this fascinating period of history to a close. The collaboration with master French crystal maker, Lalique, adds air travel to the final edition of the series, transporting consumers back to an elegant period in time where the world opened up to new adventures.

Starting this month, 48 individually numbered decanters will be available exclusively in global travel retail and at The Macallan Boutiques, with two further decanters to be kept for The Macallan and Lalique archives. The RRSP of the decanter will be US $50,000. The unique, limited-edition decanter is part of the collectable range that re-lives the glamor of the 1930s and celebrates the first era of international travel by road, rail, sea and air.

During this time period, a decade of luxury and elegance, casks were carefully laid down at The Macallan Distillery to rest in warehouses, embarking on their own extraordinary voyage.

Polly Logan, Whisky Maker, The Macallan, comments: “The Macallan 1940 is an exceptional liquid that is testament to The Golden Age of Travel, and the period of glamor and style it represents.

The first reveal of the character of the whisky comes through the antique oak color, and on the nose an atmospheric smoked oak with a richness of orange oil and dried fruits, exquisitely balanced with a beautifully light floral note of spring blossoms. Beyond this initial delight, smoked oak features on the palate with elements of opulent dark chocolate and orange, with just a hint of sweet ginger.

The finish is long and lingering, like the memories of the passengers that traveled during this era, reliving the experience in all its glory.”

The liquid is beautifully showcased in a handcrafted Lalique crystal decanter and features an illustration of one of the most innovative developments of the era in the first civil air transportation machine. This era allowed the discovery of new and exotic places made possible through luxury travel.

Silvio Denze, CEO and Chairman, Lalique, adds: "The glamorous Golden Age of Travel is one which is synonymous with Lalique and its founding father, René Lalique, who created some of his finest works that now define the era including glass lighting decoration for the Normandie ocean liner’s dining room and the beautiful glass panels in the ‘wagon présidentiel’ on the Orient Express train in the 1930s.

The decanter is styled as an exquisite interpretation of a traveling flask, featuring – on the stopper – the ‘Wind Rose’, which was included on maps in the 1930s and is reminiscent of the endless travels. We are honored to have worked with The Macallan on this series, creating unique work of the finest quality and technical complexity. The last in the series, this is a true tribute and an invitation to A Golden Age of Travel.”

The series was originally launched in 2015 with the release of the Lalique cruise liner expression, followed by the aeroplane edition, the steam train and in 2018 the motor car edition.

REGION Gulf Africa
Copyright 2024 DutyFree Magazine. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Sitemap