The creation of many hands, The Reach has been a truly collaborative effort. It’s also a tribute to the people who made this precious whisky, and their enduring spirit which never wavered.

Distillery Workers of 1940

The craftspeople displayed great strength of character as some employees had departed for battle and the workforce was depleted. At the Distillery anxiety was overlaid with a quiet determination to continue as these craftspeople set their sights on the future. Although making whisky became ever more difficult as fuel and barley supplies dwindled, their dedication remained absolute and only the very best was laid to rest in the cask stores. The unrelenting ethic was to continue to seek perfection in every aspect of the whisky’s creation. Time and again in the history of The Macallan this trait has prevailed, with successive generations determined to continue to pursue uncompromised excellence.

Allan Shiach

A diligent, responsible, and committed Chairman of the company, Allan Shiach has known The Macallan from his very earliest days. As both grandson of Dr (Samuel) Allan Shiach, who had led the company from 1938 to 1947, and great grandson of Roderick Kemp, who brought an understanding of wine and sherry that added further distinction to the whisky that still prevails, he grew up steeped in the ways of the Distillery. He assumed the chairmanship of The Macallan at a critical time and in his 18 successful years as Chairman from 1979 to 1997, one of his many achievements was to properly launch the story of The Macallan to a broader public.

Kirsteen Campbell

Kirsteen Campbell is The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker today, charged with leading the Whisky Mastery Team. She has been with the company since 2007, working as a quality technologist, master blender and custodian of several other Edrington brands, before being appointed Master Whisky Maker for The Macallan in 2019. Kirsteen undertakes her responsibilities at the helm of the team so critical to the quality of the whisky with great diligence. Whilst there have been a number of notable releases during her time at The Macallan, The Reach is the pinnacle, with its history, galaxy of rich flavours and the interconnection of the many people involved in its creation and presentation.