The Macallan Romantica Collection: 1986 Vintage Unveiled

Original artists Sir Peter Blake, Valerio Adami, and Michael Dillon reunite for an ultra-rare 1986 single cask release limited to 258 bottles.

NEW YORK, NY — The Macallan has officially launched the Romantica Collection, an exceptionally rare single-cask 1986 Vintage single malt created to mark the centenary of The Macallan 1926—the world’s most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction.

Laid down by brand custodian Janet ‘Nettie’ Harbinson exactly 100 years ago and bottled 60 years later at the peak of its maturation by her great-nephew Allan Shiach, the legendary 1926 cask produced just 40 precious bottles. As its maturation run ended in 1986, a sister journey began: a single sherry-seasoned European oak cask, no. 9925, was filled and laid down on The Macallan Estate, which is now being unveiled in 2026 as the Romantica Collection.

In a historic creative reunion, the three globally acclaimed artists who contributed original art for the 1926 vintage—Sir Peter Blake, Valerio Adami, and Michael Dillon—return with new works conceived exclusively for this release. Together, they form a modern trinity whose artistic legacies continue to shape the apex of the whisky collecting world.

The label on every bottle is personally signed by the artist, highlighting the extreme rarity of the Collection—limited to 258 bottles in total, with just 86 from each individual artist. The presentation features a bespoke European oak box decorated with the artist’s work, a signed certificate by Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell, and a limited-edition giclée art print.

“The Romantica Collection represents a rare convergence of time, creativity and craftsmanship. By revisiting the legacy of The Macallan 1926 through the eyes of Sir Peter Blake, Valerio Adami and Michael Dillon, we are not simply honoring an iconic whisky, but celebrating the enduring power of artistic expression and the role it plays in shaping the heritage of the brand. Their artworks bring fresh meaning to a whisky shaped quietly over four decades, reinterpreting The Macallan 1926 for a new moment in time.” — Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan

“From the moment this cask was laid down in 1986, it became part of a legacy – a story that began with The Macallan 1926 and continues today. Over forty years of slumber, the whisky has evolved with extraordinary grace, developing a luminous character of fruits, spice and rich oak. To see this expression now paired with new artworks from Sir Peter Blake, Valerio Adami and Michael Dillon is deeply moving. Their interpretations mirror the whisky’s own journey: layered, imaginative and shaped by time. It is a privilege to present a single-cask release that connects so profoundly with our heritage.” — Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan

Whisky Profile & Official Tasting Notes

Cask: No. 9925 – Single Sherry-seasoned European oak cask
ABV: 48.6% | Natural Color
Nose: Remarkably bright and vibrant with apricot conserve, canned peaches and bittersweet toffee. Further complexity builds with crystalised ginger, gentle cinnamon, antique oak and integrated fragrant woodsmoke.
Taste/Palate: Initial velvety sweetness from brown sugar, glazed peach and tropical lychee. Great depth develops from dark cherries, treacle and a subtle hint of peat.
Finish: Lingering dried fruit and a gentle touch of leather and rich cacao. Long lasting and memorable.

Availability: The Macallan Romantica Collection will be available exclusively as a complete set of three artist editions, directly from The Macallan beginning on July 30, 2026. US consumers can inquire via Client Services at ClientServices@TheMacallan.com.

Listen to Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast app or stream on Spotify. If you’d like to support Bourbon Lens, join our Patreon, sign up for our “Weekly Pour” Newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.