Bill Amberg Studio Elevates ‘A Study in Oak’ with Exquisite Leather-Crafted Cabinet for Macallan’s 33-Year-Old 1991 Origins Release
In a celebration of craft, heritage, and design ingenuity, Bill Amberg Studio has partnered with Ephemerus Concepts and East Asia Whisky to bring to life one of the most unique whisky releases in modern times: “A Study in Oak”. This historic offering sees a rare 33-year-old Highland Single Malt from The Macallan Distillery presented not once, but twice — matured traditionally in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry cask, and reimagined with a Mizunara oak finish. It is a landmark project, not only for the whisky world but for the artisans whose exceptional craftsmanship shapes every aspect of the release.
At the heart of this collaboration lies a masterful creation by Bill Amberg Studio, renowned worldwide for its innovative use of leather in bespoke design projects. Tasked with creating a casing worthy of such an extraordinary dual whisky release, the studio delivered a solution that is as much a piece of art as it is a functional showcase.
A Cabinet that Tells a Story
In designing the cabinet, Bill Amberg drew upon the cultural narratives embedded within the two cask finishes: the robust Scottish sherry tradition and the delicate, complex nature of Japanese Mizunara oak. The exterior is sheathed in a vegetable-tanned, debossed leather — a tactile homage to heritage, materiality, and craftsmanship. Rich in character, this leather was carefully chosen for its ability to patinate beautifully over time, much like the whisky itself.
Inside, a luxurious cream calf-skin lining offers a bright, contemporary contrast, ensuring the decanters are both protected and celebrated. The cabinet’s mechanism is a feat of engineering in its own right: an articulated plinth smoothly elevates the twin crystal decanters as the box is opened, creating a slow, graceful reveal that mirrors the reverence whisky aficionados feel toward the spirit within.
The cabinet becomes not just a container, but an integral part of the whisky experience — a tactile, visual, and mechanical theatre that elevates the moment of opening into a ritual.
Artistry in Every Detail
Complementing Bill Amberg’s leather craftsmanship are the stunning Glencairn lead-free crystal decanters, each hand-engraved and acid-polished to a pristine finish. Symbolic motifs adorn each bottle: the Sherry Cask decanter features an ornate Pictish crescent and arrow, evoking strength, tradition, and the rhythm of the harvest seasons, while the Mizunara Cask decanter bears a traditional Japanese fan with cherry blossoms, signifying transformation and fleeting beauty.
Together, the bottles and their presentation cabinet weave a rich visual narrative — one that honours the ancient traditions of both Scotland and Japan, while offering a new, unprecedented exploration of oak’s influence on whisky maturation.
A New Benchmark in Collectable Spirits
“A Study in Oak” is more than a rare whisky release; it is a holistic celebration of material, design, and narrative. It reflects the deep respect for heritage, the pursuit of perfection, and the boundary-pushing creativity that defines both fine whisky-making and artisanal craft.
Bill Amberg Studio’s contribution ensures that this limited edition is not only about the liquid itself but about the entire sensory experience — where the touch of finely aged leather, the sight of rising crystal decanters, and the taste of rare Macallan converge into one unforgettable moment.
