Twenty years of maturation, two countries and a new chapter in The Macallan’s whisky story. The Golden Eye in Prague hosted the launch of TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask – an exceptional single malt that combines Scottish craftsmanship with the Andalusian heritage of sherry, pushing the boundaries of the brand’s 200-year tradition.
A few days ago, Prague’s Golden Eye bar was transformed into a meeting place for two worlds that are closer to one another than might appear at first glance. Scotch whisky and Spanish sherry were not merely two topics of conversation here, but above all two inseparable parts of a single story. The star of the evening was The Macallan TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask, a 20-year-old single malt whisky that takes the brand’s long-standing philosophy a step further. Its uniqueness lies not merely in its age or its complex flavour profile. What is particularly significant is that, for the first time in The Macallan’s history, its character has been influenced by casks prepared using the distillery’s own sherry from the Valdespino winery in Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia.
The venue itself was a natural choice for such an occasion. Golden Eye, a bar on the top floor of the Fairmont Golden Prague hotel, combines cosmopolitan elegance, gold and brass accents, dark wood and mirrored surfaces with panoramic views of Prague and the Vltava. It is a setting that does not require ostentation for ostentation’s sake. More important are the atmosphere, the thoughtful details and the feeling that one can take the time to pay attention to what is right in front of them. It is precisely this approach that a whisky such as TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask embodies. Every detail of it reflects a long process in which nothing of substance can be rushed.
Two centuries of experience and maturation
The Macallan is one of the most renowned names in the world of Scotch single malt whisky. Founded in Speyside in 1824 by Alexander Reid, its story has, from the very beginning, been underpinned by meticulous work with the spirit and exceptional attention to oak casks. It is precisely these casks that are fundamental to the brand’s character: they influence the colour, aroma, flavour and texture of the whisky and allow it to develop gradually over the course of its long maturation. TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask not only reaffirms this philosophy but also demonstrates just how far meticulous control over the entire production process can take us.
This new release is the third addition to the TIME : SPACE collection, which the brand launched in 2024 to mark the 200th anniversary of its founding. While the name itself refers to the passage of time and the transformations of space, in the case of Sherry Cask this concept takes on a very concrete form. The whisky’s story begins in Scotland, but its character is also shaped by Andalusia – specifically the historic Valdespino winery in Jerez de la Frontera, renowned for its sherry-making tradition. The connection between the two places is not merely symbolic. Today, The Macallan oversees the entire process of preparing sherry casks, from the selection of wood through to the manufacture of the casks, their seasoning in Spain and their subsequent use in the maturation of whisky in Scotland.
This is precisely where the most significant innovation of this edition lies. The team of whisky makers first selected sherry casks, predominantly made from European oak, in which the spirit had matured for twenty years, acquiring depth, structure and characteristic notes of dried fruit and spices. The final marrying then took place in selected casks from the first 200 sherry casks that had been seasoned at the Valdespino winery. These casks were crafted by The Macallan’s coopers in Jerez and were shipped to Scotland in 2024. Most of them will continue to mature whisky for decades to come; only a select few were used to complete TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask. This is therefore not a change that contradicts the brand’s previous experience, but rather a natural extension of it, incorporating an additional level of control and artisanal collaboration.
“TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask represents a significant milestone in our approach to preparing sherry casks. It is the first whisky whose character has been influenced by casks prepared using our own Valdespino sherry. It combines the experience of generations of sherry producers with the mastery of our team and opens a new chapter in our story,” says Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan.
This approach is also evident in the design of the bottle itself. Its circular shape symbolises the continuous flow of time and the connection between the past, present and future. At the same time, it evokes the shape of Palomino grapes grown in the Valdespino vineyards, while the warm golden hue of the gift packaging references the Andalusian sun, which is an integral part of the world of sherry. The design is not merely packaging, but a visual continuation of the story unfolding inside the bottle. Indeed, the same philosophy is explored in the documentary film Mastery Beyond Reason, which traces the journey of an oak cask from the forests and sawmills, through the cooperage and the historic Valdespino winery, all the way to Speyside in Scotland. The film is guided by photographer Steve McCurry, whose perspective is complemented, among others, by sommelier Josep Roca. The focus is thus not only on raw materials and technology, but also on the people, their experience and their craftsmanship.
When one focuses on the flavour profile of TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask itself, it becomes clear why the selection of casks is so important. The aroma opens with rich notes of sherry-soaked raisins, figs and Medjool dates. These are complemented by sweet frangipane, toffee and caramelised nuts, while dark chocolate and warming spices lend depth to the nose. On the palate, sultanas, dates and apricots emerge, along with moist ginger cake, dark caramel, blackberry jam and chocolate-covered cherries. Gradually, notes of clove, cinnamon, cocoa beans and oak emerge, tying the whole experience together. The finish is long, warming and elegantly woody, with a subtle hint of espresso and noble oak. The natural golden colour remains true to the philosophy on which The Macallan has long prided itself.
The result is a whisky that relies not merely on the intensity of individual aromas, but above all on their interplay. The sweetness of dried fruit and caramel meets spices, chocolate and woody notes, without any of these layers having to give way entirely to the others. It is precisely this character that invites you to savour it slowly, to return to the glass and to compare the different impressions. Twenty years’ maturation is not just a number on the label, but a period during which the individual components have been able to integrate and achieve their own harmony.
The Macallan Room: a place where whisky becomes an experience
The launch of TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask at the Golden Eye naturally complemented the character of the entire project. The bar at the Fairmont Golden Prague offers an elegant, contemporary take on hospitality, blending design, gastronomy and a thoughtfully curated drinks menu. The view of Prague lends the venue a distinctive atmosphere, while the interior, inspired by the cosmopolitan style of the 1970s, creates a more intimate setting in which the contents of the glass can take centre stage. The evening was therefore not only an opportunity to unveil a new bottle, but also a demonstration of how the world of premium whisky can be integrated into contemporary hotel and bar culture.
Of particular significance in this context is The Macallan Room, a dedicated space devoted to the brand, which is the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic. For whisky lovers, it offers the chance to explore this category in greater depth than during a typical visit to a bar. Alongside the current releases, guests can also discover further chapters in The Macallan’s history.
A delightful way to round off the evening was the chance to sample Valdespino Vermouth Origen as well. Its inclusion had a deeper significance than simply serving as another drink in the tasting. It is Valdespino, in fact, that represents the Spanish side of the story which, in TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask, intertwines with Scottish craftsmanship. The vermouth draws on the winemaking tradition of Jerez and blends old Oloroso with Moscatel wine. Its character is further shaped by a blend of botanicals, including wormwood, coriander, elderflower, gentian, chamomile, cloves, cinnamon, dried Seville orange and juniper. The final blend is then matured in casks that previously contained Oloroso. In this way, Valdespino brings to the vermouth a similar emphasis on tradition, wine and cask management, which is fundamental to its collaboration with The Macallan.
While the whisky offers twenty years’ maturation, a complex structure and a long finish, the vermouth offers a different perspective on the aromatic world of Jerez. It is an interesting reminder that the story of sherry does not end with the wine itself: its influence can be reflected in various categories of drinks, while still retaining its recognisable origins.
TIME : SPACE Sherry Cask thus presented more than just another addition to the famous distillery’s portfolio in Prague. It is an example of a long-term approach that combines the origin of the raw materials, care for the wood, the experience of several generations and the patience necessary to create a complex whisky. The evening at the Golden Eye brought this philosophy to life in a setting where flavour, design and hospitality come together as one. And the finale, Valdespino Vermouth Origen, served as a reminder that behind every exceptional bottle lies not only a place and a time, but also the people who know how to work with both.
