NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Macallan, the luxury single malt whisky, has commissioned renowned photographer, Annie Leibovitz for the third edition of its award-winning Masters of Photography series. Following a world exhibition tour that traveled across the globe, including stops in Hong Kong, Moscow, and London, the bottles will now be available in the US.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121002/NY84811-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121002/NY84811-b)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121002/NY84811-c)
The Masters of Photography: Annie Leibovitz Edition sees Leibovitz bring to life the essence of the brand through her unique photographer's eye, with renowned Scottish actor Kevin McKidd cast in the role of leading man.
The Macallan Masters of Photography series features exclusive collaborations, marrying the art of whisky making with the artist's interpretation of the world of The Macallan. Previous editions were authored by iconic photographers Rankin and Albert Watson.
This year, Annie Leibovitz, chosen for her exceptional skill and inimitable style, has captured four powerful images of The Macallan moments shot in and around New York City with Kevin McKidd.
"I am the first color photographer chosen by The Macallan for its Master of Photography series; prior to this I hadn't realized how complicated and deep the distilling process is. That warmth and richness is what I tried to bring to the photographs," comments Annie Leibovitz.
The Macallan Masters of Photography: Annie Leibovitz Edition comprises 1,000 limited edition bottles, of which there are four different versions, retailing for $2,750 each. Each bottle contains one of four unique single malts, released for the first time, and crafted by whisky maker Bob Dalgarno to reflect the mood of the signed Annie Leibovitz print that it is paired with. The four single cask whiskies have been matured in different cask types to be completely unique and original. The bottle and print are presented in a bespoke photo-archival box, stamped with The Macallan brand and Annie Leibovitz's name.
Charismatic actor Kevin McKidd, acclaimed star of TV drama "Grey's Anatomy" and cult film "Trainspotting" hails from Elgin, just a few miles away from The Macallan Distillery on Speyside where he even worked as a young man, making him an authentic choice for the role. He says, "This project is very special to me. Having worked at The Macallan distillery in my youth I remain a Macallan drinker to this day so to be asked by The Macallan to be part of this campaign was a huge honor. Annie Leibovitz is a living legend so to be photographed by her is a once in a lifetime experience."
A further four individually customised bottles of The Macallan 1949 from its exquisite and highly collectible Fine and Rare Collection and celebrating the year of Annie Leibovitz's birth will also be released. Accompanied by a signed one-off gallery-sized print, they will be available with a reserve price of $25,000.
Ken Grier, Director of The Macallan, said: "Working with one of the world's most influential photographers has exceeded all expectations. The Masters of Photography series is hugely important to The Macallan brand and Annie Leibovitz has captured The Macallan moment in her own unique way. The fact that our leading actor, Kevin McKidd, is not only a fervent Macallan drinker but actually worked at the distillery is a wonderful and authentic story."
The collaboration will be celebrated next week as the new bottles and images are released at a launch event in New York City where Leibovitz and McKidd will be in attendance.
www.themastersofphotography.com
ABOUT THE MACALLAN
Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world's leading single malt whiskies. The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship. From its founding, through the subsequent owners of The Macallan distillery in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and into the present century, The Macallan has been recognized for its outstanding quality above all else. Today this remains the foundation for the worldwide fame of The Macallan and is such that it is truly "The Last Word" in luxury and at the heart of those special moments brought alive over a glass of The Macallan.
ABOUT REMY COINTREU USA, INC.
Remy Cointreau USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Remy Cointreau, S.A., imports and distributes an extensive portfolio of premium and ultra-premium spirits and wines. Headquartered in New York City, Remy Cointreau USA offers a full range of products in the wine and spirits spectrum, including cognacs, brandies, liqueurs, scotches, rums, vodka, champagnes, still and sparkling wines. The Company's exclusive brands include Remy Martin® Cognac, Louis XIII de Remy Martin® Cognac, Cointreau® Liqueur, Mount Gay® Rum, Metaxa® Greek Liqueurs, The Macallan® Scotch Whisky, The Famous Grouse® Scotch Whisky, Highland Park® Scotch Whisky, Brugal® Rum, ZU® Vodka, Champagne Piper-Heidsieck®, Champagne Charles Heidsieck®, Domaine du Grollet®, BearBoat® Wines and Piper Sonoma® sparkling wines.
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PLEASE CONTACT:
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SOURCE The Macallan