The Macallan Folio 8 Brings Big Flavor and Bigger History

For over two centuries, The Macallan has been renowned for its signature sherry-forward single malt Scotch whisky. Now, the distillery is reaching into its archives to introduce the latest installment of its Archival Series to the United States. for the first time: The Macallan Folio 8.

Inspired by the brand’s 1980s print and billboard campaigns, Folio 8 revives the “Colossus of Nose” advertisement — a playful nod to The Colossus of Rhodes — celebrating the whisky’s bold and towering aroma. Crafted from a selection of first-fill and refill European sherry oak casks, Folio 8 offers rich notes of golden sultanas, ripe dates, sweet berry compote, toffee brittle, lemon peel, cinnamon, and a hint of anise.

“Drawing from The Macallan’s inventory of exceptional European sherry seasoned oak casks to deliver a whisky celebrating outstanding flavors and aromas, reflective of the stature and prominence of the artwork it reflects,” Steven Bremner, The Macallan’s whisky maker, told Food & Wine exclusively. “Created by the talented creatives David Holmes, art director, and Nick Salaman, copywriter, the campaign brought the brand’s essence to life during the 1980s. Folio 8 breathes new life into this iconic campaign, recreating the original advertising while celebrating the heritage of The Macallan.”

According to Bremner, the selection of the barrel for The Macallan Folio 8 was driven by its exceptional quality and the rich complexity imparted by the first-fill European Sherry seasoned oak casks used in its maturation. It was essential to use only the finest casks to achieve the outstanding flavors and aromas that reflect the stature of the “Colossus of Nose” campaign. 

“The whisky’s vintage terracotta color, reminiscent of the roof tiles in Jerez, subtly ties back to the visual identity of the billboard artwork,” said Bremner. “This attention to detail, alongside the prominent aromas of dried fruits, sweet spice, and citrus, set this barrel apart and made it the ideal choice for Folio 8.”

Launched in 2015, The Archival Series was created to commemorate the brand’s historic print, press and film advertising campaigns from the 1980s and 1990s. “The iconic series brings together stories, anecdotes, drawings, and photographs that featured as part of the campaigns to showcase how The Macallan grew from a remote farmstead on the River Spey to become a world-renowned single malt whisky recognized for its incomparable craftsmanship and creativity,” said Bremner.

With only 450 bottles available in the U.S., getting one may be difficult, so you may need a bit of Scottish luck.