The Macallan recently unveiled The Reach, a single malt whisky that reflects an extraordinary moment in time and exemplifies the enduring spirit that has been at the heart of the brand for almost 200 years.

Crafted during World War II, The Reach was laid to rest in 1940, before The Macallan was compelled to close its doors for the first time in its history. At 81 years old, The Reach is the oldest whisky ever released by The Macallan, crafted from a single, sherry seasoned oak cask.

The whisky is encased in an exquisite decanter created from mouth-blown, hot glass, cradled on a bronze sculpture of three hands. Each hand represents characters in The Macallan’s history and their unique story.

One commemorates the distillery workers of 1940 who crafted the spirit into existence, in challenging times. Another is the hand of one-time chairman, Allan Shiach, whose grandfather headed the company when this remarkable spirit was first consigned to its cask. The third is that of today’s Master Whisky Maker, Kirsteen Campbell, who selected the 1940 cask.

A collective of Scottish artisans hand-crafted the quartet of liquid, glass, bronze and wood. The veins, nails and skin detail are recorded in extraordinary accuracy, modelled on an artist’s impression of a hand of one of those original stillmen.

The sculpture is cast in bronze and the glimmer of the metal contrasts beautifully with the dark amber whisky (41.6% ABV).

The surface of the glass decanter features subtle indentations that match the fingerprints of the bronze hands which support it. A beautiful cabinet crafted using wood from a fallen elm tree, which is thought to have been on The Macallan Estate in 1940, houses the decanter.

Limited to only 288 decanters worldwide, The Reach is on display at The Macallan Estate Boutique and retails for US$ 125,000 (£ 92,000).