On a starry evening, I found myself among other billionaires. To say “among other billionaires” is a far reach; I am not one — yet. I’m just a writer who had been adorning carelessly laying books with scribbled words from a young age, a writer whose writing charm had brought him here, right in the historically rich country of Ghana, at the lush terrains of the Safari Valley, nestled among billionaires who had converged at The Macallan’s ultra-luxurious call.
There, on June 23, 2023, Ghana’s high-society guests relished the opportunity to indulge, connect and unwind over different expertly curated experiences. After savouring a delightful array of culinary delights, exquisite whisky tastings and invigorating rounds of golf, we all gathered for what would, for me, stand out — an eight-minute movie titled The Spirit of 1926 which took guests on an immersive journey to a not-so-distant past.
The Macallan’s Biopic The Spirit of 1926 is a cinematic masterpiece that beautifully captures the story of Janet ‘Nettie’ Harbinson who, in 1926, crafted what would become the most valuable bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction. The bottle fetched £1.5 million in 2019, and three years on, its record-breaking title still stands, strong and proud.
Janet Harbinson’s relationship with The Macallan started through her father, Roderick Kemp (former owner of the distillery) and her husband, Alexander, who ran the distillery before passing away in 1918 towards the end of the First World War. However, Janet was faced with relinquishing the business because a man was better placed, the authority thought, to run the distillery.
Janet, though, wouldn’t budge. Retaining the distillery and guided by conviction in doing the next right thing, she pursued excellence with modesty and grace, all while caring for the people around her. Without setting out to do so, Janet became an exemplar of The Macallan’s brand values and the enabler of the most valuable single bottle of wine or spirit ever sold at auction; The Macallan 1926.
With classic Scottish band Simple Minds weaving 1920s outfits and an immersive soundtrack, french designer Lalique providing exclusive jewellery from its elusive archive and film producer Jaume Ferras weaving every mise en scene into a wormhole, we — myself, Kevin Okyere, CEO of the billion-dollar oil company Springfield group and other prominent personalities — sat transformed into the world of The Macallan, a world with a rich history of innovation and craftsmanship.
The sparkling waters, the clear air and the lush Highlands, which were home to Janet, split into every corner of our eyes. From showcasing the picturesque Scottish landscapes to exemplifying the values of modesty, grace and heroism, The Spirit of 1926 is a testament to the dedication and passion that drives The Macallan’s pursuit of excellence.
As the starry evening transitioned into night, the movie showcase compelled me. And the elites around me had indulged in the immersive experience just as much as I had. Their expressions of approval resonated. If only I could bring my ears closer to their lips, I knew they would engage in conversations about Janet ‘Nettie’ Harbinson’s unwavering conviction and the obstacles they themselves had overcome to reach their potentials.
It would be hardly surprising, the gathering consisted solely of individuals with undeniable creativity, unparalleled craftsmanship and commitment to excellence.
- Imisioluwa Ogunsunlade is a multimedia writer living in Lagos.