The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023 - Issue 34

bitedrinks A lmost a hundred years ago, Janet Isabella Har- binson, affectionally known as 'Nettie', cre- ated The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926, which became the most expensive whisky, sold for 1.5 million at auction at Sotheby's in 2019. She took over the reins of the Speyside distillery after the death of her husband, Alexander, in 1918, a doctor from Northern Ireland who went into the whisky business after they married. Nettie resisted pressure to sell the business and subsequently secured the jobs of the distillery workers. Her connection to The Macallan preceded her late husband’s tenure. In 1892, Nettie’s father, Roderick Kemp, one of the gi- ants of Victorian distillery who had previously owned Talisker, bought the business from then-owner James Stuart. Kemp was considered the architect of the whisky brand’s rise to promi- nence outside Scotland. After he died in 1909, the Roderick Kemp Trust was established to secure the family’s future own- ership of Macallan until Highland Distillers (now Edrington) took over in 1996. Last November, The Macallan honoured Nettie’s quiet heroism in a short film, The Spirit of 1926 , portraying her life and dedi- cation to the business. The biopic written by former chairman and Nettie’s great nephew Allan Shiach, under his pen name Allan Scott, bottled the Fine & Rare 1926 after 60 years of maturation in 1986 during his chairmanship. His screenwriter credits include the stage version of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit he produced. “We uncovered Janet Harbinson’s story when researching the background to The Macallan Fine & Rare 1926, and we knew we had to share it as soon as we learned of her role in its dis- tillation and maturation, as well as the deep influence she had on the future development of the brand,” said Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan and producer of the film. “I was particularly asked not to make a ‘commercial’ for The Macallan,” said Schiach; instead, he made a moving tribute to his great aunt. “She represented, both then and now, all the values which I believe are important to the company: a craft, more than an industry, handed down through the generations,” he added. “I would like people to feel a sense of the warmth and care with which the company produces single malt whisky.” The film, starring British-American actress Emily Mortimer as Nettie, is directed by Mike Newell, with the 1920s outfits by Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane and the exclusive soundtrack produced by Simple Minds. The eight-minute short film is a love story at its heart. “It cele- brates the love Nettie had for her husband, her love for the local community, her love for nature and the family business,” Ferras said. “She cared deeply about others and was determined to use her position at The Macallan to enrich the lives of those around her. Guided by her conviction and strong belief in doing the next right thing for everyone she cared about, she uncon- sciously made history, and it is only right we pay tribute to her.” Since The Macallan first appeared in the 1973 classic film Don’t Look Now, the screenplay written by Allan Shiach and directed by Nicolas Roeg, the brand has been in over 90 films and TV series. In Skyfall (2012), James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, sips The Macallan Fine & Rate 1962 in a nod to the brand’s 50th anniversary of the spirit. Incidentally, The Macallan pro- duced a James Bond 60th Anniversary collection representing six decades of the 007 agent. The whisky brand extends beyond films with The Macallan Colour Collection, a range of exceptional age-statement whis- kies created in partnership with visionary American graphic designer David Carson. Inspired by Jerez in Spain, a land of historic vineyards and fine wines where The Macallan’s sherry seasons oak casks are crafted, the Colour Collection celebrates its commitment to natural colour. It reflects the influence of sherry seasoning, with Carson’s unique designs featured on the vibrant packaging. A 2014 AIGA medal recipient, the design profession’s highest accolade and having worked at several publications, Carson’s work has been displayed in dedicated shows worldwide. After establishing his studio, David Carson Designs, the design icon, created campaigns for some of the world's leading consum- er brands, including Nike, Levi, Pepsi and Ray-Ban. He was among only two graphic designers selected by Apple as part of its iconic '30 most innovative users' list.