The Macallan HOSTS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION INSPIRED BY Albert Watson edition of The Masters of Photography – Scotch Whisky News
The Macallan HOSTS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION INSPIRED BY Albert Watson edition of The Masters of Photography
Inspired by the launch of the Albert Watson edition of The Masters of Photography and his visual interpretation of the journey of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks, the Speyside single malt has launched the first Macallan Masterclass photography competition.
The competition invites the public to upload their finest photographs that celebrate the theme of “great journeys”. It could be from travels or a special moment showing a passage of time from one stage to another.
The top ten photographs, as voted for by the public, will then be judged by Albert Watson, winner of the prestigious Royal Photographic Society’s 2010 Centenary Medal, who will choose a first, second, third and a highly commended entry. Prizes include the ultimate trip of Scotland, Nikon digital camera equipment and a 12 month subscription to Digital Camera magazine. Entry to the competition and voting is at www.themastersofphotography.com. Closing date is 29th April 2011.
Edinburgh-born world leading photographer, Albert Watson, unveiled his latest works of art undertaken in partnership with The Macallan single malt whisky earlier this month. Interpreting the story of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks, Watson visually documented his journey which began in the forests of Spain and ended at The Macallan’s spiritual home in Speyside.
To create his black and white photographic series, Watson embarked upon a journey of 12 days covering 600 miles and encountered some of the most breathtaking scenery. From the entrancing forests of Northern Spain, where the mighty Spanish oaks grow, to the traditional cooperage in Jerez, Watson began a journey of discovery, culminating in the alchemy and passion of The Macallan Distillery in Scotland. The photographic odyssey took place in 3 parts, the romantic tale of a couple’s road trip, a series of images expanding on this particular journey and finally the creation of fine art platinum prints.
The outcome is a stunning anthology which captures the genuine emotional connection between the photographer and his subjects: the striking landscapes, beautiful settings and the spectacular weather patterns. Watson’s photographic prints exude an air of drama and romance, trailing a stylish couple taking a voyage to unearth the key secret behind The Macallan. These are coupled with intimate shots of the time served master craftsmen of the cooperage and dramatic stills of the surrounding wilderness.
A limited collection of 1,000 unique The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old bottles is available for purchase throughout the world, each with a specially commissioned label by Watson and a set of 10 portfolio prints unique to this edition. A further 36 individually customised bottles of The Macallan 1946 whisky, the date Watson first met his wife Elizabeth, with a signed one-off collectible platinum print can also be purchased, once they have completed their world exhibition tour, with a reserve price of £10,000.
The Macallan Masters of Photography Albert Watson Edition can be purchased at luxury spirits retailers or via www.themacallan.com for an RRP of £700.
To enter the Macallan Masters competition, go to www.themastersofphotography.com.
Notes
Tasting notes – The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old
NOSE – Dark chocolate orange, cloves, ginger and dried fruit, accented by polished oak
TASTE – Robust spine of blood orange and exotic spices, with an abundance of sun ripened raisins, dates and sultanas
FINISH – Tantalisingly long, oak, allspice, stem ginger with sustained fruitiness
COLOUR – Lacquered rosewood
The Macallan Sherry Oak 20 year old bottles will be available for purchase in the UK from luxury retailers for the RRP £700.
The Macallan 1946 bottle can also be purchased in the UK at luxury retailers at a starting price of £10,000
The first Macallan Masters of Photography was launched in 2008 with Rankin. Rankin produced 1,000 individual black and white images captured on Polaroid. Each limited edition bottle of rare 30 year old Macallan Fine Oak single malt displayed a bespoke label featuring one of Rankin’s images, accompanied by the original Polaroid. The array of images featured artistic nude studies of Tuuli, Rankin’s muse and wife, contrasted by shots of the dedicated craftspeople of the distillery, and still life images of the surrounding flora and fauna at Easter Elchies Estate.
The Macallan is ranked number two by value* among the world’s top selling single malts and is recognised as being a leader within the Scotch Whisky industry when it comes to innovation.
*IWSR figures ending December 2006
Albert Watson – photographer
Born in Scotland, Albert Watson is one of the world’s most successful photographers of the past four decades. His striking images have appeared on over 240 covers of Vogue and Rolling Stone – some of the most iconic portraits of a generation including Alfred Hitchcock, Mick Jagger and Kate Moss.
As well as directing over 300 TV commercials for global brands including Gap, Chanel and Revlon, Albert is also the creative genius behind some of the most well recognised movie posters of our time, namely Memoirs of a Geisha and Kill Bill.
In recognition of his work Albert was named one of the 20 most influential photographers of all time by industry bible, Photo District News. In 2010 he was awarded the ultimate accolade – the Centenary Medal from the Royal Photographic Society.
Albert Watson is a master of his art who greatly enriches our perception with his unique photographic view. A single minded commitment to perfection has made Albert Watson one of the world’s most sought-after photographers.
The timeless reputation of The Macallan is founded upon Six Pillars:
The Spiritual Home
Easter Elchies House proudly watches over The Macallan distillery in Speyside, Scotland. Built in 1700, this Jacobean manor house is The Macallan’s spiritual home.
Curiously Small Stills
The Macallan’s curiously small and uniquely shaped copper stills help to concentrate the flavour of the ‘new make’ spirit.
The Finest Cut
The ‘cut’ is the amount of distilled spirit collected from the stills as ‘new make’ spirit. The Macallan takes one of the finest ‘cuts’ of any distillery in Scotland; typically just 16% goes forward to fill or our casks.
Exceptional Oak Casks
The Macallan’s unfaltering obsession with selecting exceptional oak casks brings an unsurpassed, timeless quality to The Macallan.
Natural Colour
The Macallan insists upon Natural Colour. It is the interaction of spirit and wood alone which delivers the rich variety of colour, aroma and taste evident through out the range.
Peerless Spirit
The Macallan remains the single malt against which all others must be judged. It is celebrated far and wide by experts and discerning drinkers as the world’s most precious whisky.
