Celebrating the arrival of the first light of the new year in New Zealand, one of the most easterly countries in the world, the limited edition single malt s the fourth release in the annual A Night on Earth series that honors New Year traditions across the globe. This release draws inspiration from one of the first sunrises of the year.

Created from a combination of sherry seasoned American and European oak casks selected by The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team and complemented by the sparing introduction of American oak casks that once held bourbon, the whisky offers a delicate sweetness.

“This edition of A Night on Earth is about light – its cultural symbolism and its sensory warmth,” said The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig. “Inspired by traditions and rituals that have been handed down from generation to generation, this is a whisky designed to be gifted, shared, and enjoyed with friends and family. Unmistakably Scottish at its heart, this single malt acknowledges its Antipodean narrative with a finish that is sweet and fruity, with mellow spice and toasted oak.”

The Macallan collaborates with local artists from around the world to bring to life each edition of the A Night on Earth series. For this expression, it has collaborated with Bonnie Brown, an artist and illustrator living in Wellington, New Zealand, to craft a gift box representing her memories of home on New Year’s Eve. In New Zealand, people traditionally welcome the new year on the beach, celebrating with festivities, parties, and fireworks. The sunrise symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter and is embraced as a time for joy, personal reflection, and fresh starts.

“When I created this artwork, it reminded me of my family’s New Year’s Day ritual – starting the day at the beach and taking a swim in the ocean,” said Bonnie Brown. “It’s a fond memory and a key part of our annual tradition. Having spent many summers on the coast, the design reflects the enjoyment of being outdoors all day. It embodies the Kiwi way of life that I grew up with, like the weekends I spent exploring different parts of New Zealand with my mum and appreciating nature to the fullest.”

The Macallan’s A Night on Earth: The First Light is available for $124.

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The limited-edition single malts – Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea and Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea – pay homage to the world of tea and the artistry of nature. Every stage of the whisky making process was managed through ownership and partnerships with direct suppliers – from vineyards and sherry producers in Jerez de la Frontera to oak sourced from their own sawmills in the US and Spain.

Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea, crafted by The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team, is a tribute to the rare oolong tea traditionally grown in China’s Phoenix Mountain range. Known for its lush dessert wine aromas and exotic fruit notes, this tea inspired a whisky predominantly matured in Sherry Seasoned American oak casks, with additional depth from Sherry Seasoned European oak and a subtle inclusion of American oak casks that previously held bourbon.

Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea, an exclusive Global Travel Retail release, draws inspiration from JING’s Organic Cherrywood Lapsang tea – a reinvented take on Lapsang Souchong, delicately smoked over cherrywood in the UK. This expression wasprimarily matured in Sherry Seasoned European oak casks and complemented by a selection of Sherry Seasoned American oak casks.

“Our collaboration with JING is a celebration of the parallels between whisky and tea – two crafts deeply rooted in nature, tradition and time,” said Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan. “Working with JING has allowed us to explore new dimensions of flavor and storytelling, creating two whiskies that are both innovative and deeply connected to the land.”

In keeping with the collection’s ethos of sustainability, the presentation boxes for both whiskies are crafted using repurposed waste tea leaves, embracing the use of organic materials in their packaging.

“At JING, we’re inspired by the unique terroir and craftsmanship behind every tea origin,” said Melanie Tricklebank, CEO of JING. “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with such an incredible brand and to see The Macallan draw inspiration from the distinctive quality and craft of the tea producer partners who inspire our mission to change the perception of what tea can be. The collaboration with The Macallan is a true meeting of minds and traditions.”

To celebrate this collaboration, The Macallan has introduced a whisky and tea pairing ritual, inspired by the traditional Chinese Gong Fu tea ceremony (工夫茶). Originating in Eastern Guangdong, this ceremonial practice emphasizes the artistic preparation and communal enjoyment of tea, reflecting a deep cultural heritage. This ritual highlights the shared values of terroir and tradition that unite single garden teas and single malt whisky, offering a multi-sensory experience that honors the complexity and sophistication of both traditions.

The Macallan Harmony Collection draws inspiration from collaborations with chefs, connoisseurs and artists to produce innovative whiskies with unique flavors. Previous Harmony editions include partnerships with Cirque Du Soleil, the Roca Brothers, and Stella and Mary McCartney.

The Macallan’s Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea is available now for $200. The Macallan’s Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea will launch on October 1 exclusively at Global Travel Retail stores for $190.

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This expression marks the latest release in the series of limited-edition single malts and other creations exploring locations around the globe. Crafted by The Macallan Lead Whisky Maker Euan Kennedy in collaboration with the Roca brothers (owners of the three-Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca), Distil Your World Hong Kong celebrates a city that, while rooted in tradition, constantly reinvents itself for the future.

Distil Your World Hong Kong is drawn from selected Sherry seasoned European Oak hogshead extensively married with hand selected American Oak casks. “This is a deeply personal whisky, inspired by my time with Joan Roca exploring Hong Kong, said Euan Kennedy, Lead Whisky Maker at The Macallan. “It is big and bold. I wanted to develop the idea of structure in this whisky, reflective of the building environment rising from the sea to the green peaks behind. To create contrast within this whisky, in the same way Hong Kong is a city of contrast. A whisky with many layers, to be returned to again and again to find more stories to tell, its incredible complexity transporting you on a journey of flavor and memory.”

“Distil Your World brought us to Hong Kong, and we have distilled the city with extraordinary results,” Joan Roca added. “The creative process is where we have fun. That’s where the chaos is, where we are open to anything, where anything is possible and, no matter how crazy it may seem, it may be useful. Our culinary proposal is inspired by the deep-rooted traditions and different cultures of Hong Kong, while at the same time representing the modernity of the city.”

To compliment the whisky, the Roca brothers crafted an immersive dining experience menu inspired by Hong Kong’s landscape and cultural heritage. The menu begins with a Yum Cha aperitif, Casa Cacao blend tea, Rose Ha Gau, scallop and sea urchin cheung fun, and truffle cha siu bao, highlights the city’s cosmopolitan spirit. Main courses pays homage to the Temple Night Market with sweet and sour vegetables, followed by prawn roe mousse, steamed abalone, cabbage, and seaweed, a tribute to the Geological Park. A duck and milk tea mooncake enriches the experience, culminating in a dessert inspired by Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, an artistic creation mirroring the city’s architectural marvels.

Accompanying this fourth release is the latest Distil Your World film, “Reimagining Spaces.” This film documents Euan and Joan’s journey into Hong Kong, mirroring the exploration that inspired the whisky’s creation.

Previous Distil Your World expressions include New York, London and Mexico. A rare Distil Your World Mexico Single Cask Limited Edition, one of only two bottles ever produced and the only one to be available for purchase, recently fetched a $81,250 bid at a Sotheby’s charity auction benefiting Esperanza International, an organization dedicated to supporting home building and community development in Mexico.

The Macallan Distil Your World Hong Kong is a limited-edition release and is available in Asia Travel Retail and Asia–Pacific regions fpr $4,750. For U.S. consumers, less than 500 bottles of The Macallan Distil Your World Hong Kong will be available via national distribution starting in September.

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The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow is the third release in the Harmony Collection that was created in collaboration with the McCartneys. Inspired by the amber fields in Scotland, this expression uses a combination of both sherry seasoned oak and bourbon casks with a rich, citrus scented finish. This release embraces the re-use of natural materials in its packaging, creating beauty from resources at the end of their natural lives.

Below, I’ve highlighted two delicious cocktails, The Highland Meadow and The Harmony Cafe Martini that are easy to make at your next picnic adventure.

The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow is available now in limited in quantities for $210.

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The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner has created the whiskies to pair perfectly with coffee. He immersed himself in the art of coffee by hosting a masterclass with world renowned coffee experts at The Macallan Estate. He explored the incredible journey from field to cup, uncovering the unique process and distinct flavor profiles at each stage.

Among the coffee masters who shared their knowledge with Steven were Ethiopian coffee grower Kenean Asefa Dukamo, whose family works with the Arabica variety showcased by the whiskies; Scottish coffee roaster Lisa Lawson, a pioneer of speciality coffee in Scotland acclaimed for her roasting techniques; and award-winning American barista Andrea Allen. Additionally, UK-based coffee artist Dhan Tamang crafted a range of coffee art, sharing his knowledge on the art of the perfect coffee serve and sensory perceptions, while leading coffee historian Professor Jonathan Morris, provided an insight into the roots of coffee and how it has become the global phenomenon it is today.

“Exploring the world of coffee with our masters in the industry, who shared their knowledge, creativity, and love for their art, was both an education and an inspiration,” said Steven Bremner, Whisky Maker at The Macallan. “There are many parallels between the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee. Each requires unique skills and craftsmanship to achieve depth and complexity of taste and both worlds aim to deliver an extraordinary consumption experience.”

Drawing inspiration from the Arabica coffee bean from Ethiopia, renowned as the birthplace of coffee, Bremner selected a combination of American and European oak casks to achieve the distinctive notes offered by the single malts. Inspired by Intense Arabica is reminiscent of espresso coffee and has a higher proof at 88, while Smooth Arabica conveys the flavors of an americano which come through at 80 proof.

“To create the coffee-inspired second edition of The Harmony Collection, I sought out intense notes in The Macallan’s traditional sherry seasoned European oak casks that would offer the rich and satisfying elements of coffee, with the influence of sherry seasoned American oak casks adding sweeter and softer vanilla notes for a balanced and rounded experience,” Bremner added. “Each expression has been paired with two different variations of Ethiopian coffee, which accentuate the unique tasting notes within the whisky when enjoyed side by side, creating an exciting new sensorial experience of The Macallan.”

In homage to their coffee inspiration, the new expressions are presented in a presentation box, which incorporates repurposed coffee bean husks, a by-product in the coffee-making process. Paper expert Michele Posocco from Italian paper mill Favini worked with The Macallan to create the packaging. The rich red pantone color on the Inspired by Intense Arabica pack reflects the coffee fruit, while the vibrant green on the Smooth Arabica pack represents the unroasted coffee bean.

The Harmony Collection commenced with the release of Rich Cacao last year, followed by Fine Cacao earlier this year, which both incorporated discarded husks from cacao pods in their packaging and offered distinctive chocolate flavor profiles. As you can see. the collection also explores The Macallan’s future packaging journey, as each release features distinctive packaging that incorporates organic by-products and gives them new life.

The Macallan Harmony Collection’s Inspired by Intense Arabica is available at The Macallan Estate Bar, The Macallan Online Boutique and at retail now. The Macallan Harmony Collection’s Smooth Arabica is available at The Macallan Airport Boutiques, key airports around the world and China Hainan Island duty free shops now.

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The first three expressions are the 2022 editions of the previously-released M and M Black and the brand-new M Copper, which pays tribute to the unique copper stills utilized by The Macallan since it was founded in 1824.

Matured in a small number of hand-selected casks, The Macallan M 2022 release embodies “Natural Color,” a result of the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and its dedication to using natural ingredients and sherry seasoned oak casks. A rare spirit epitomizing the idea of transparency, the whisky is featured in a handcrafted Lalique crystal decanter.

The Macallan M Black 2022 release represents “Mastery” and trust in its craft. Rare, black ended casks holding peated spirit have been selected by the Whisky Mastery Team who have continued to push the boundaries of creativity and craftsmanship. The spirit matured in the sherry seasoned oak casks has gathered depth and distinction over time and the handcrafted Lalique black crystal decanter reflects the peat smoke within the whisky.

The Macallan M Copper 2022 release is an ode to the “Curiously Small Spirit Stills” that remain key to crafting the spirit. One of the defining features of the distillation process, they represent a moment in whisky-making history as when most moved to larger, higher production copper stills. Their distinctive shape and size help to concentrate the new make spirit, creating the rich, robust character. A handcrafted Lalique copper colored crystal decanter represents the stills and reflects the authenticity which drives the brand through its dedication to innovative methods.

Visually representing the Six Pillars, the decanters are created in collaboration with creative director Fabien Baron and French crystal maker Lalique. Envisioned by Baron, they feature six facets while Lalique has drawn on over 130 years of mastery to bring refinement and flawless clarity.

“It is an honor to work with The Macallan – our long-standing partner for 16 years – to realize this exquisite collection and showcase our shared sense of mastery, craftsmanship and heritage, said Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique. “The decanters are completely unique in the world of decanters, very difficult to produce because of their shape and Lalique’s masters of crystal have relished applying their most complex skills to bring Fabien Baron’s creative vision to life.”

“Our Six Pillars foundation stones embody all that is unique to The Macallan, together underpinning the renowned quality and rich character of our whisky and The Macallan M Collection tells the story of these unique attributes,” said Jaume Ferras, Global Creative Director for The Macallan. “We are dedicated to uncompromised excellence, and proud to collaborate with Fabien Baron and Lalique to bring these extraordinary expressions to life, and with Nick Knight to create a dramatic visual world for the collection.”

The Macallan has also worked with luxury fashion photographer Nick Knight to create a series of photography and film in his abstract style. Knight’s imagery captures the collection in blocks of ice as a homage to The Macallan’s intrinsic connection to nature and the River Spey which runs through The Macallan Estate.

The Macallan M Collection began roll-out on Monday (June 20). The Macallan M 2022 release will retail at $6,750. The Macallan M Black 2022 release will retail at $7,750. The Macallan M Copper 2022 release will retail at $8,500.

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Known for its one-of-a-kind sound-aged whiskey program, Quadrant is committed to pushing the boundaries behind the bar. The acquisition of The Macallan 72, one of only 156 bottles in the country, continues in that tradition. It is the pinnacle of The Macallan’s experience in whisky making. Distilled in the 1940s, it is aged exclusively in American Oak Sherry casks and was transferred into re-fill casks during the 1980s to preserve the character of the spirit and allow for longer aging. Unlike most the distillery’s expressions, The Macallan 72 contains a delicate peat smoke. The liquid is presented in ‘Genesis Decanter,’ a crystal decanter handcrafted by Lalique.

“As the whisky market grows in the United States, Quadrant Bar & Lounge and The Macallan continue to pursue excellence in how the spirit is shared, presented, experienced and celebrated,” said Chris Mendenhall, Lead Mixologist of Quadrant Bar & Lounge. “Our program is all about pushing the boundaries of mixology and ensuring we are at the forefront of what’s next, and we are thrilled to grow our prestigious offerings with the addition of The Macallan 72 to our rare reserves.”

The Macallan 72 will be the just the latest addition to Quadrant’s The Vault; a combination safe measuring six feet high and four feet wide, that holds the establishment’s most magnificent and rare reserves. When ordering from the reserve list, guests are taken to The Vault where Mendenhall enters the code, turns the brass five-spoke handle and carefully removes the bottle for guests to view. The Macallan 72 will remain in The Vault in a concealed custom-built glass display case where guests are encouraged to appreciate the one-of-a-kind bottled spirit as one would a renowned artistic masterpiece.

The post The Ritz-Carlton Uncorks The Macallan 72 appeared first on The Whiskey Lifestyle.

Recently, Skinner Auctioneers sold a 57-year-old bottle of Macallan single malt scotch preserved in a one-of-a-kind Lalique crystal decanter for $61,500.

Bottled in 2009 from two separate casks — a 1950 American oak sherry butt and a Spanish oak sherry butt — to call this scotch limited-edition would be an understatement. The classic dried fruits and spice notes are reminiscent of The Macallan House style of the 1950s.

The extravagant bottle (seen above) was one of over 1,000 lots, who’s dates spanned from the 1800s to modern day, sold in a Fine Wines & Spirits online auction for a total gross of $757,508.

We definitely need to rethink our investments.

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