Macallan Blake @ LXXX Eight Decades Collection

Released in June 2012, this collection of eight miniatures was produced in collaboration with renowned British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake. Each bottle represents one of the eight decades of his life, and is a celebration of his eightieth on the 25th of the same month. This was Blake's second bespoke work for Macallan, the first being 12 labels for the famed 1926 vintage from cask #263 , the world's most expensive single malt. The distillery and artist later combined again for a new collection in 2021.

Presented within the set are vintages from each decade, including several expressions from the sought-after Fine & Rare series. The distilled dates of each are, 1937, 1949, 1952, 1969, 1976, 1989, 1997, and 2002.

The artefacts in the box were sourced by art director, Stuart Newman, and are said to represent fire, water, earth and air, each of which aids the process of whisky making. These include:

• 1930s: Black and white image of distillery workers at Macallan. Fire bucket – representing water and fire. Dancing tin duck – a replica of one of Sir Peter’s favourites from his own collection.
• 1940s: Windproof matches. Tin damsel fly – still very much alive on Speyside. Small bottle with a painting of the Queen Mary, one of the first pieces of art Sir Peter Blake bought as a student in the late forties. Wellington boots – representing an original pair of Tom Thumb boots that Sir Peter has in his collection and one of his favourites.
• 1950s: She-Devil painting on the cover of the book. Halfpenny.
• 1960s: CD with the cover of Beatles painting by Sir Peter Blake – including an old advertisement created by DH and a film by Phil Sansom on the making of the Blake @ LXXX box.
• 1970s: Teapot and roses painting – adding flowers to the bold and colourful design.
• 1980s: Robin painting – to provide some natural life. Gnome fishing (on the Spey!) or with a garden spade. Spey Salmon – representing the fishing on the Macallan’s Easter Elchies Estate
• 1990s: Extract from book – W for Whisky, the collage is very typical of Sir Peter Blake’s style. Macallan cask – representing the importance of the oak casks in the making of Macallan.
• 2000s: Porcelain mouse – representing the computer age.