The Macallan ‘Distil Your World New York’
Just a few months ago back in April, celebrated single malt Scotch icons The Macallan launched ‘Distil Your World New York’, a limited run whisky that looks to capture the essence of the Big Apple in a bottle.
Of course, back then, the world was a somewhat different place with many countries across the continents still on enforced closure as a direct result of the ongoing pandemic. So, it’s no surprise why it took quite a while for the fruits of this latest whisky project to reach our shores. Now, it’s finally been launched in our neck of the woods!
For this exclusive project, The Macallan’s top whisky maker, Polly Logan, collaborated with the Roca brothers of Joan, Josep and Jordi, owners of El Celler de Can Roca – the chic Spanish bistro known for inventive variations on traditional Catalan recipes. Incidentally, the brothers’ restaurant has been named Best Restaurant in the World twice, so suppose they do know a thing or two about using the perfect pairing of flavours to tell unique stories!
And through this collaboration, the perfect combination of whiskies aged in six European and American oak casks were combined to reflect the distinctive artistic character of New York, its towering architecture, and the culinary eclecticism offered by its delis, diners and street food. Thus, the result is a tasty creation that embodies and celebrates New York as a dynamic metropolis of art, creativity and visionary talent.
To achieve this, Polly and Joan Roca travelled to New York to spend time with the artists there who pretty much fuel its culture and creativity, and they met with thinkers that help chronicle the city. In their journey, they met with acclaimed jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, graffiti artist Lady Pink, art curator at the Guggenheim Museum, Megan Fontanella, fashion designer Daniel Silverstein, and sneaker culture historian Dee Wells.
“This project is a homage to the people of New York. The daring, creative and diverse characters we’ve met along the way. This whisky is bold, vibrant and uplifting – just like each of them,” reveals Logan. “We really looked towards the quintessential tastes of New York – sweet candy, waffles, peanut brittle, chocolate, and pecans. The city’s thriving street food scene was a great source of inspiration.”
Meanwhile, the globally acclaimed Roca brothers have also created a unique menu designed to take diners on a singular journey through New York to commemorate this new collaboration. Their creations, which, like the whisky play with renowned New York flavours, include a potato cronut with salsa brava, waffles with chicken pâté and sugar cane syrup and cured and smoked strip steak. The Big Apple, their masterpiece dessert, features a caramel apple filled with fresh apple purée and milk chocolate.
Joan Roca said: “The originality of New York is endless, it’s impossible to portray it with just one creation, so we needed to express it through an extended menu, where every dish tells a story. The city grabs hold of you instantly. Its energy pushed us to create a complex and daring menu, with ideas that we explored for the very first time.”
Distil Your World New York comes in a white presentation box featuring an engraved aerial map of New York. Touches of blue on the box and bottle represent what’s described as the water that surrounds the city and the buildings reaching into the sky. In addition to the bottle of limited-edition whisky, the box also contains a book showcasing the different inspirations behind the whisky, and its creation, alongside some tasteful New York photography.
As mentioned, The Macallan Distil Your World New York is a limited-edition release of only 1,000 bottles worldwide and clocks in a 49.5% ABV. Retailing here for RM18,100, it is available in limited quantities at selected premium supermarkets, bars and restaurants now. For more information, visit www.themacallan.com/en-my/distil-your-world
