The Macallan Carta Nautica Whisky Collection: From 38-Year-Old 1987 Vintage To 105 Proof, Here Are 4 Top Whiskies To Know

The Macallan has always put oak at the centre of its whisky-making story. With the Macallan Carta Nautica Collection, however, the distillery is taking that story across the Atlantic. The four-expression collection explores the journey of oak between North America, Jerez de la Frontera in Spain and The Macallan Estate in Scotland, with each whisky shaped by a combination of sherry-seasoned oak and casks that previously held bourbon. The collection spans a 38-year-old whisky distilled in 1987, a 20 Year Old travel-exclusive expression, a no-age-statement bottling, and a 105-proof single malt. Together, these 4 expressions in the Macallan Carta Nautica whisky collection are part of the same transatlantic idea.

The Macallan Carta Nautica Whisky Collection

The Macallan Carta Nautica, Distilled in 1987

The oldest and most limited expression in the collection is The Macallan Carta Nautica, Distilled in 1987, a 38-year-old single malt whisky bottled at 45.2% ABV. It began its maturation in sherry-seasoned oak from Jerez before being transferred into casks that previously held American bourbon. The Macallan's tasting notes highlight rose and caramelised peach, followed by antique oak, nectarine and charred pineapple. Leather, wood spice and sultanas appear towards the finish. Distilled in 1987 and bottled in 2026, it is the Macallan collection's definitive aged expression. 

The Macallan Carta Nautica, 20 Years Old

The 20 Year Old is a Global Travel Retail-exclusive expression bottled at 42% ABV. The Macallan Carta Nautica, 20 Years Old whisky continues the collection's transatlantic cask story, combining sherry-seasoned oak from Jerez with American bourbon casks. Its flavour profile leans towards creamy vanilla, orange peel, charred pineapple and mango, with apricot, peach tea, caramelised figs and chocolate orange adding depth. The finish brings toasted orange spice and dried tropical fruit. 

As a travel-retail exclusive, it is also perhaps the bottle most naturally connected to the Macallan Carta Nautica's nautical theme.

The Macallan Carta Nautica

Simply called the Macallan Carta Nautica, this no-age-statement expression is bottled at 43% ABV. Rather than focusing on a particular maturation period, it puts the emphasis on the interaction between different cask types. The profile brings together tres leches cake, vanilla cream, fresh fruit, almond brittle and lemon meringue, followed by white chocolate, floral honey, melon, green apple and pear. It offers a lighter and more contemporary interpretation of the Carta Nautica concept.

The Macallan Carta Nautica, 105 Proof

At the opposite end of the collection is The Macallan Carta Nautica, 105 Proof, a 52.5% ABV whisky. The higher-strength expression combines sherry-seasoned American oak with bourbon casks, including bourbon casks subsequently finished in sherry-seasoned American oak. The result is a richer profile built around nutty sweetness, vanilla, lemon and toffee, with almond brittle, citrus and cooked fruit adding further layers. At 105 proof, it is the collection's most powerful expression.

The Carta Nautica Collection is ultimately less about age statements than it is about the journey of the cask. From the 38-year-old 1987 vintage to the 105-proof expression, each bottle offers a different interpretation of how American bourbon casks and sherry-seasoned oak can influence The Macallan's spirit.

Together, they turn a familiar Macallan obsession with oak into something broader: a whisky story that begins thousands of miles from Scotland, crosses the Atlantic and ends in the glass.

The Macallan whisky collection note: Availability varies by market. The 20 Year Old is available exclusively through Global Travel Retail, while the other Carta Nautica expressions featured here are listed on The Macallan’s website, where customers can register their interest for the respective releases. Availability is subject to market and stock.