Macallan launches Distil Your World Paris
The Macallan has unveiled the fifth edition of its whisky series that ‘captures the essence’ of the world’s great gastronomic cities.
Each Scotch in the Distil Your World series is created in collaboration with Michelin-starred chefs and brothers Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca.
For the fifth edition, Distil Your World Paris, The Macallan’s master whisky maker Kirsteen Campbell and the Rocas took to the French capital and the city’s l’art de la table dining tradition for inspiration, which is said to ‘unite every element of gastronomy’ from the ingredients to cooking, setting, and flavours.
Campbell used a cask combination of American Sherry-seasoned oak, European Sherry-seasoned oak, ex-Bourbon and rare Cognac for the whisky, with the latter cask being unique to the release and giving the liquid a ‘final flourish of French refinement’.
Campbell said: “The Macallan has always been rooted in storytelling, and every creation we craft carries its own. This Distil Your World edition feels especially meaningful to me because of the experiences, sights and emotions I brought back from Paris.
“In building its flavours, I layered new ideas over the signature character of The Macallan to create something familiar, yet a little unexpected. I took a piece of Paris home with me – and this release is my personal interpretation of that journey.”
Drinkers might find notes of buttered pastries, brioche, mille-feuille, vanilla pods, sandalwood and sweet fruits from the whisky, which are all said to evoke Paris’ patisseries, perfumeries and poetic streets.
Furthermore, the whisky’s golden colour has been dubbed by the brand as ‘Parisian sunrise’, inspired by the first light viewed from Montmartre.
It is housed in a white presentation box alongside a print from Paris-based artist Cassandre Montorio, whose gouache illustrations set an evening table d’hôte scene on a typical Parisian street.
The outer pack then features a map tracing Campbell’s journey through Paris, while the ‘street yellow’ exterior behind where the bottle is placed in the box nods to the French capital’s street lighting and its reputation as the ‘city of light’.
The launch of Distil Your World Paris is also accompanied by a documentary that details the team’s creative process and their exploration of the l’art de la table concept through Paris. In the film, Campbell and Joan Roca are seen meeting with the city’s artisans and chefs, including Anne-Sophie Pic.
Joan Roca added: “Our challenge was to create a menu inspired by the essence of Paris – an experience where French haute cuisine meets l’art de vivre and l’art de la table. With 44,000 restaurants and the highest number of three-Michelin-star establishments, Paris reflects the quality, commitment to excellence, and elegance of French gastronomy.
“Every journey leaves a lasting impression, and this one was especially memorable thanks to the incredible hospitality of Anne-Sophie Pic.”
Distil Your World Paris sits at 47.2% ABV and is now exclusively available to members of The Macallan Society for US$4,750. From April, it will be available at select national and local retailers in the US.
Previous Distil Your World editions have featured London, New York and Mexico City.
Earlier this month, the Edrington-owned Speyside distillery unveiled its second limited edition single malt whisky in partnership with the James Bond franchise: The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release.
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