Scotch, Bourbon and Cognac Meet in The Macallan’s New $4,750 Bottling

(Photo: The Macallan)

On Thursday, The Macallan unveiled the latest release in its Distil Your World series, an evolving collection of Scotch whiskies that pay homage to famous cities and countries, one wallet-crushing price tag at a time.

The historic whisky maker has debuted Distil Your World Paris, a collaboration between the brand and the Roca brothers, owners of Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca, twice named the World’s Best Restaurant.

The liquid was aged in a combination of American and European Sherry-seasoned oak and ex-bourbon casks, before finishing in rare Cognac barrels. It’s bottled at 47.2% ABV and hosts a suggested retail price of $4,750 — on par with its predecessor, Distil Your World Hong Kong, which at the time of its debut was the most expensive yet in the series.

Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker for The Macallan, says that the Scotch was designed to evoke Paris’ patisseries, perfumeries and poetic streetscape. The team also cites l’art de la table — the French tradition of meticulously arranging a dining table with respect for gastronomy, etiquette and social atmosphere  — as a key inspiration.

“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,” Campbell said in a news release. “In building its flavors, 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.”

Never ones to shy away from luxury wordcraft, the brand describes the whisky’s natural color as “Parisian Sunrise” and the inside of its collectible box as “street yellow” (a nod to the city’s ever-evolving street lamps). The box also contains a gouache illustration of a typical Parisian street created by French artist Cassandre Montoriol, and an outer pack tracing Kirsteen Campbell’s journey through the city.

The Distil Your World series kicked off in 2020 with the release of London Edition, a $4,500 statement piece said to boast flavors of sweet Earl Grey tea, kaffir lime and lemongrass. Subsequent editions have spotlighted New York, for which The Macallan’s characteristic sherry-finished apple flavor is a natural fit, Mexico and Hong Kong.

The Macallan Distil Your World Paris Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

• Aroma: “Almost croissants, rose aroma, sweet nectarines, sandalwood, vanilla pods.”
• Taste/Palate: “Buttered pastry, brioche, peach melba, mille-feuille, toasted oak.”
• Finish: “Gentle spices and warm oak.”