The Macallan x Charles Rennie Mackintosh
This art collaboration explores nature and its power to inspire. The inspiration for these beautiful releases is the world renowned Scottish architect, designer and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh. His unique style continues to influence artisans and global projects today.
The Tree of Life by The Macallan
We were inspired by 'The Spirit of the Rose' stained-glass panel and its symbolic depiction of the artistic concept, the tree of life. The panel demonstrates Mackintosh’s mastery in combining colour with natural light, together with his ability to capture organic form in his structures with incredible fluidity. This can be seen reflected in The Tree of Life by The Macallan and The Macallan Art is the Flower.
The whiskies have been carefully selected to reflect aspects of Mackintosh’s story and works.
The Story Behind the Release
‘The Spirit of the Rose’ Design Inspiration
These expressions have been respectfully crafted to celebrate the circularity of nature captured in Mackintosh’s 1902 stained-glass panel 'The Spirit of the Rose'.
Created for the Rose Boudoir exhibition in Turin, the panel presents Mackintosh’s iconic rose in a beautiful composition featuring feminine form and plants as one, representing fertility and the circularity of life and nature.
Drawing from Nature
At The Macallan, nature is integral to everything we do. From our 485-acre Estate in Speyside, Scotland to the sympathetic design of the Distillery with its rolling green roofscape that nestles into the slope of the ancient hills. Our continual endeavour as custodians of the Estate is to leave it in a better place for future generations to come.
For Mackintosh his love of nature developed from an early age – it inspired lesser-known works in watercolour, motifs and subtle carvings in wood featuring birds, flowers and landscapes. Mackintosh was interested in the tree of life and its connotations to the continual cycle of nature and life, demonstrating its importance in his artistic thinking.
The Tree of Life by The Macallan and The Macallan Art is The Flower bring this shared interest, deep reverence for nature and its perpetual motion to life honouring Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his enduring legacy.
About Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh achieved an international reputation in the 1890s as an interdisciplinary designer of unorthodox posters, craftwork and furniture. In contrast to contemporary fashion his work was light, elegant and original.
In 1902, the Mackintosh Room at the Turin International Exhibition, where 'The Spirit of the Rose’ stained-glass panel was exhibited, forged the path to establishing Mackintosh’s reputation as a leader of the modern movement.
Learn More of the Collaboration
A Shared Story of Nature and Legacy
For over two centuries, The Macallan has been an emblem of craftsmanship and legacy, drawing inspiration from nature. In this series of short films, we celebrate the profound connection we share with the natural world and the individuals who have based their work and lives on it.
A documentary style set of short films explores the influence on and of Charles Rennie Mackintosh through characters from different artistic disciplines who share the influence Mackintosh has had on them. Each short film speaks to the shared values and synergies between The Macallan, Mackintosh and each of the characters.
A special thanks to The Hill House, House of an Art Lover, Mackintosh at the Willow and Macintosh Queen's Cross for access to some of the most cherished and iconic locations by Mackintosh.