The Macallan and Peter Blake, Eight Decades of Sir Peter Blake Set, 2012

This collection of eight miniatures was crafted in collaboration with renowned British pop artist, Sir Peter Blake and released in June 2012. The eight decades of his life are presented in eight individual bottles. The release date was perfectly selected as it was in the month of his 80th birthday.

It was not the first time that Blake was collaborating with Macallan. The renowned pop artist created 12 labels for the famed 1926 vintage from cask #263. The distillery and artist later teamed up again for a new collection in 2021.

The set presents vintages from each decade, including several expressions from the sought-after Fine & Rare series. The whisky in the bottles were distilled in the following years: 1937, 1949, 1952, 1969, 1976, 1989, 1997, and 2002. So one for each decade of his live.

The art director, Stuart Newman sourced the artifacts in the box. The artifacts represent fire, water, earth, and air, each of which aids the process of whisky making. These include:

1930s: a black and white image of distillery workers at Macallan. One fire bucket – represents water and fire. The dancing tin duck is a replica of one of Sir Peter's favorites from his collection.

1940s: Windproof matches. Tin damsel fly – still very much alive on Speyside. Small bottle with a painting of the Queen Mary, one of the first pieces of art Sir Peter Blake bought as a student in the late forties. Wellington boots represent an original pair of Tom Thumb boots that Sir Peter has in his collection and is one of his favorites.

1950s: She-Devil painting on the cover of the book. Halfpenny.

1960s: CD with the cover of Beatles painting by Sir Peter Blake – including an old advertisement created by DH and a film by Phil Sansom on the making of the Blake @ LXXX box.

1970s: Teapot and roses painting – adding flowers to the bold and colorful design.

1980s: Robin painting – to provide some natural life. Gnome fishing (on the Spey!) or with a garden spade. Spey Salmon – representing the fishing on the Macallan's Easter Elchies Estate

1990s: Extract from the book – W for Whisky, the collage resembles Sir Peter Blake's style. Macallan cask – representing the importance of the oak casks in making Macallan.

2000s: Porcelain mouse – representing the computer age.

Each collection is one of 250 hand-made works of art by Blake himself. Our copy includes on top a signed, limited edition print of the artwork from the book, signed by the makers. There are only 3 signed copies available combined with the box.