The Macallan Rare Cask Gift Guide
The ultra elegant, utterly outrageous and one-of-a-kind items found in our gift guide inspired by the premium, full-bodied whisky
In creating their exceptional whiskies, The Macallan’s innovative whisky maker Bob Dalgarno uses only the finest oak casks. The distillery’s world-coveted cask collection is a huge part of what gives their products the most in distinguished flavor, color and character. Now, they’ve taken this meticulous approach a step further with The Macallan Rare Cask. A ruby red, full-bodied blend created in specially chosen Spanish oak sherry casks—less than 1% of their supply—this new expression is as rich as it is truly rare. To celebrate, we’ve created a holiday gift guide that speaks to the whisky’s recherché nature. From inimitable Italian anchovies to Marc Newson’s prototype chair designed for his graduation show, a few standouts are below. See the full set of selections in our Rare Cask Gift Guide.
Formafantasma Still
Formafantasma took on the daunting task of beautifying water filtration and succeeded to the extreme. The Still purifier combines an engraved crystal decanter with copper attachments and utilizes active charcoal to elevate humble drinking water to its proper stature. $8,738
Miles Davis “Kind of Blue” Signed LP
In two studio sessions in the spring of 1959 Miles Davis recorded Kind of Blue, which would quickly solidify itself as the best jazz album of all time. A year later, in 1960, he signed a copy of the record for a fan—something he evidently never did. Collectors have verified that the copy now up for auction on ebay is the only known Davis signature in existence. $35,000
Loro Piana Handmade Coat
It’s certainly a lucky individual who gets to brave cold weather wrapped in warmth of the finest kind. With impeccably buffed cattle-grain nubuck leather on the outside and sheared shaved mink on the inside, the Loro Piana overcoat is made by hand with the earnest care of a master craftsman well aware of the treasure he’s spinning. $36,000
Alici di Menaica Anchovies
Only a small pocket of fishermen on the Cilento coast of Italy still catch anchovies in the ancient Menaica technique, named for the nets they use. Their process epitomizes the concept of slow food, and involves a nightly excursion with the special, loose nets that are built to catch only the larger swimmers. The fresh, red anchovies are immediately cleaned and brined seaside, then placed in terracotta pots in between layers of salt, to rest for three months before they’re aged to perfection. $10
Frank Lloyd Wright Peacock Chair
American architecture icon Frank Lloyd Wright created the Peacock Chair for Toyko’s Imperial Hotel, which was demolished in 1968. Now housed in various museums across the world, the model up for grabs features original moleskine upholstery and aged oak. $44,882
Dirk Vander Kooij Diffuser Cabinet
An edition of 10, Dutch designer Dirk Vander Kooij’s Diffuser Cabinet serves juxtaposing purposes, simultaneously providing storage in a series of hidden drawers and spreading sound around to improve the acoustics of a room. Best of all, the behemoth Jenga tower of irregular pieces of tulip wood presents itself as an object of textural beauty. $13,500
Tintype Photo Session
Artist Michael Shindler revived the 19th century tintype photography process in his San Francisco studio, creating beautiful portraits with an old-fashioned and almost haunting feel. The handcrafted method is a painstaking process Shindler recreates on modern-day equipment, preserving a sense of nostalgia with contemporary clarity. Contact Shindler to book a personal four-hour session anywhere within the continental United States. $4,800
Barber & Osgerby’s Lanterne Marine
Royal College of Art alums Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby may be best known for designing the 2012 Olympic torch, but the industry vets—who teamed up in 1998—have a diverse portfolio of bespoke objects. One such is Lanterne Marine, a hand-blown sculptural glass flower vase uniquely crafted by the master artisans at Venini and inspired by the lamps hanging from boats along the Venetian lagoon on the way to Murano. $9,237
Custom Espresso Machine
With a name like Slayer, you know the Single Group Espresso Machine, a compact version of the original, isn’t messing around. This is a sophisticated mechanism for better coffee and also a labor of love by its makers, who created a customizable fantasy tool for professional baristas and home brewers alike. The portable system features a digital UI with glass touchscreen, Peruvian walnut handles, the brand’s signature flavor profiling capabilities, personalized steam pressure and anything else you desire. $9,000+
Marc Newson Prototype Chair
Marc Newson’s Prototype Chair, which he designed in 1983 for his graduation show at Sydney College of the Arts, stands as one of the most iconic examples of outstanding student work. The steel rods and anodized sheet aluminum, welded and soldered by Newson himself, comprise the clean, sturdy design of a piece that would set the tone for the designer’s ensuing, legendary career. $150,000
Images courtesy of the respective brands
