The Macallan’s New Single Malt Celebrate’s Mexico and Day of the Dead
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Robb Report may receive an affiliate commission.
The Macallan is world famous for maturing its whisky in sherry-seasoned casks, but it’s also known for coming up with new and innovative concepts and formulations to release that whisky. The latest is the new edition of the Distil Your World series, and this one is a tribute to Mexico in collaboration with the brothers behind the Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca.
More from Robb Report
The Distil Your World series consists of Macallan single malts that are meant to celebrate the food and culture of different locations around the world. This is the third whisky in the series, all in collaboration with the Roca brothers, following releases that paid tribute to New York and London. For this release, The Macallan whisky maker Diane Stuart traveled to Mexico City with Joan Roca, the chef at El Celler de Can Roca, to explore the culture and cuisine with a focus on the Day of the Dead festival. A 30-minute documentary was produced to capture the experience, which included meeting people like chef Elena Reygadas; Josefina Garcia, director of collections at Dolores Olmedo Museum; and farmer and marigold cultivator Luiz Perez (those flowers are a big part of the Day of the Dead festival).
“This is a big celebration of the joy of being alive,” said Roca in a statement. “You can smell it, see it in the colors, and in the food they are preparing. It is a unique opportunity to grasp the soul of a country and try to distill it into a gastronomic experience. This is our humble approach to something that is absolutely huge, because like always, food brings people together.”
The whisky itself was matured in sherry-seasoned American and European oak casks. There is no color added—as is the case with all Macallan whiskies—and according to a press release the whisky is a “vibrant marigold” with notes of pan de muerto bread, creamy vanilla, and sweet pineapple on the palate. It comes inside a special box that is meant to evoke the Day of the Dead through its marigold design, pink lining, and artwork created by illustrator Alfredo Rios. If all of this sounds more like marketing than tangible flavor notes or a true cultural tie-in, there may be something to that. Nevertheless, this whisky will likely become another collector’s item.
Distil Your World Mexico is available starting this month (SRP $4,500) at The Macallan Boutiques and select retailers. You can find the rest of The Macallan lineup for sale at websites like ReserveBar.
Best of Robb Report
Why a Heritage Turkey Is the Best Thanksgiving Bird—and How to Get One
The 10 Best Wines to Pair With Steak, From Cabernet to Malbec
Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
