The Macallan celebrates joint venture with Spanish sherrymaker Bodegas Grupo Estévez
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THE Macallan has announced a joint venutre with a Spanish sherrymaker which ensures its single malt whisky is matured in the "finest quality sherry-seasoned oak casks".
The Speyside distillery has formed a partnership with Bodegas Grupo Estévez, based in Jerez.
Igor Boyadjian, managing director of The Macallan, said the joint venture is the "next natural step" in brand's pursuit of "incomparable craftsmanship and whisky mastery".
He added: “Our partnership with Grupo Estévez builds on The Macallan’s long-standing, deep relationship with the Jerez community and with our wide range of valued suppliers in the sherry industry that have always played a critical role in the quality of our exceptional Scotch Whisky.
“We hand select our sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez for richness and complexity."
Valdespino is one of the most historic and prestigious bodegas in Jerez, dating back to 1264.
Grupo Estévez, led by CEO José Ramón Estévez, are owners of renowned vineyards and bodegas in Jerez’s “Sherry Triangle” where they make and mature the ultra-premium Valdespino brand of Sherries and aperitifs.
The partnership will see the Valdespino brand of ultra-premium sherries and aperitifs added to the Edrington portfolio and their growth will be supported by the distribution and marketing capabilities of The Macallan in selected international markets.
The expertise of sherry wine making will be retained through the existing leadership team led by Grupo Estévez CEO, José Ramón Estévez.
José Ramón Estévez said he and his family were incredibly pleased to be forming a joint venture with The Macallan.
He said: “This will be the first time we have used our beautiful sherry for cask seasoning, and we are so pleased that we will do this exclusively for The Macallan, which is synonymous with the highest quality Scotch Whisky. We look forward to contributing to that quality in the years ahead through the seasoning of The Macallan casks with our sherry.
“We are also extremely excited to be working with The Macallan team to help build our exceptional Valdespino Sherries and aperitifs internationally. Both The Macallan and Grupo Estévez have a shared commitment to quality for our consumers and respect for the societies we live and work in and to the environment.”
Scott McCroskie, CEO of The Macallan's parent company Edrington said: “The Estévez family are a perfect partner for The Macallan in Jerez, owning some of the finest sherries and vermouths in the world, and custodians of such historic vineyards and bodegas.
"This is a partnership full of promise for The Macallan in the brand’s constant quest to continue producing exceptional quality single malt Scotch whiskies that are so well-loved by consumers around the globe.”
