This bottle represents a paramount piece of whisky history: the very first release in what would become the iconic and highly sought-after Anniversary Malt series from The Macallan. Distilled on November 23rd, 1957, this exceptional single malt Scotch whisky is a testament to the distillery's enduring commitment to craftsmanship and quality. It is a rare glimpse into the character of Speyside malts from a bygone era, bottled in January 1983 after a quarter-century of maturation.
This specific expression is a single cask bottling, drawn from cask number 15949. Matured exclusively in sherry wood casks, it boasts a completely natural color, derived solely from its long interaction with the oak—a hallmark of The Macallan's philosophy. The decision to bottle it at its natural cask strength of approximately 43% Alc. Vol. further preserves the integrity and profound depth of its flavor profile, a practice that sets it apart from many other whiskies.
As the inaugural edition that launched a legendary series, this 1957 vintage is exceptionally rare and holds a special place in the hearts of collectors. Its release in 1983 marked a pivotal moment for The Macallan, solidifying its reputation as a producer of luxurious, age-statement single malts. This bottling is not merely a whisky, but an artifact of The Macallan's rich heritage, embodying over 160 years of tradition at their Easter Elchies estate.
The front label details the whisky's distinguished provenance, stating it is a "VERY SPECIAL BOTTLING OF RARE OLD SINGLE HIGHLAND MALT SCOTCH WHISKY." It clearly indicates the distillation date of 23rd November 1957, the bottling date of January 1983, and its maturation "solely in sherry wood casks." The label proudly proclaims that The Macallan uses no caramel for coloring, and the whisky is bottled at its "NATURAL CASK STRENGTH." The text is a mixture of elegant fonts: "The MACALLAN" is presented in a bold, uppercase serif font, while "Anniversary Malt" is rendered in a flowing, cursive style. The age and "ESTABLISHED 1824" are noted in a fine, stylized script.
The bottle is sealed with a gold foil capsule, with a portion of "ll an" visible in a decorative script. The back label features a charming illustration of a man on a penny-farthing bicycle with a whisky barrel for a wheel, alongside the statement "MACALLAN IS THE MALT." It also explains that the potential for a natural haze is a sign of the whisky's authenticity and lack of excessive chill-filtering. The overall condition is excellent, with a high fill level, well above the shoulder and into the neck of the bottle, ensuring its perfect preservation.
This product is from a private seller. Please be aware that cabinet7 merely provides a platform to buy and sell. When sold, the seller will pack the bottle themselves and send it to the buyer. We do our best to make this process as smooth as possible, however there may be some delay.
If you have any questions, please read our FAQ or contact us.
Max von Olfers
Max von Olfers is the founder of cabinet7, and has 10 years of experience with collector item appraisals. The oldest Cognac Max has consumed is from 1855.
Malte Lukowski
Malte Lukowski runs the operations & collector item departments at cabinet7, and has 4 years of experience with collector item appraisals. The oldest Cognac Malte has consumed is from 1920.
