Objective

To marry together whisky making heritage with innovation by creating an architectural masterpiece which respects the surrounding environment.

Description

Sitting at the heart of The Macallan Estate in Speyside the new distillery marries past, present and future in a unique statement in architecture, construction and whisky making. The plan for the new distillery and visitor experience was announced in 2012 and the build began in December 2014.

From the beginning it was a project of collaboration: the concept was designed by internationally acclaimed architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners who embodied the care, passion and superior craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of The Macallan. Elgin-based Robertson Construction delivered the complex architectural design, working with 25 contractors to bring the vision for the new distillery and visitor experience to life. Commissioned with building the new stills was Forsyths; world leaders in distillation equipment supply, who have been working with The Macallan’s to make their small stills since the 1950s.  During the construction of the distillery, an ecologist worked closely with the estate's environmental specialist to ensure wildlife, including protected species, were protected during the build.

The roof is an illustration of The Macallan’s commitment to excellence: the individual components include 2,500 triangles, each of which comprises 50 different parts customised to cover and protect the unique elements of the distillery that sit underneath. It is one of the most complex timber roof structures in the world it and comprises 380,000 individual pieces. Natural materials – local stone, timber and the living meadow roof – as well as the landscaping design not only evoke the environment and ingredients of whisky production, but also serve to provide an atmospheric journey for the visitor. 

The Macallan still uses the same spring water, small stills and processes to create their single malt whisky. The new distillery represents an exciting new chapter in The Macallan’s illustrious history and sets the standard for everything they do going forward.

The design features of the new distillery help promote biodiversity around the Macallan Estate:

• The undulating roof was planted with native grasses and wildflowers.
• The unique roof is made of PEFC-certified timber and makes the building a prime example for sustainable construction. 
• The River Spey that runs through the Macallan Estate is a ‘Designated Special Area of Conservation' (SAC) and where the cooling water comes from.
• The water for the new-make spirit comes from spring water boreholes on the Macallan Estate.
• The steam from a local biomass energy-generating plant is used to power the boilers, reducing the carbon footprint of the previous energy supply from gas.
• The heat from the stills is repurposed to heat the Visitor Experience.
• Any surface water from the distillery roof and car-park is managed through a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS), a natural approach to drainage which helps prevent water pollution and flooding.

Partners

The site was designed by Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners and built by Robertson Construction

The stills were crafted by Scottish coppersmiths Forsyths

Results

There are 14,000 m² of meadow across the five crests of the distillery and it is seeded with a mix of indigenous grasses and wildflowers designed for the site.

The distillery:

• Sources 95% of its energy requirements from renewable sources. This was achieved by partnering with Estover Energy to supply steam from its biomass plant adjacent to the distillery, and Helius Energy/CoRDE to supply electricity from its biomass cogeneration plant located in nearby Rothes.
• Maintains the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) excellent rating through source water quality and protection of the River Spey.
• Maintains Environmental Management Certification (ISO 14001).

The estate nurtures, supports and expands the extensive Macallan Estate plant and animal ecosystems.

Packaging is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

100% of barley supply is certified to highest standards (Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAIP)).

The cask lifecycle tracking system, traces 100% of the casks from cooper to bodegas to maturation warehouses and onward circular economy repurposing.

Website

https://www.themacallan.com/en/inside-the-macallan/our-estate/a-new-distillery-and-visitor-experience-a-new-vision-for-the-future

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