The Macallan’s New Whisky Was Partially Aged in Bourbon Barrels
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The Macallan puts out so many different special releases over the course of a year that it can be hard sometimes to differentiate them. The thing that binds them together is that virtually of them are matured in sherry-seasoned oak, a defining feature of this Speyside distillery. But every now and then, the whisky making team throws some bourbon barrels into the mix as well—and such is the case with the new A Night on Earth: The First Light.
That might be a pretty pretentious name for a single malt scotch, but there’s a story behind it. The whisky is the fourth entry in the Macallan’s A Night on Earth series, which is meant to be a tribute to New Year traditions around the world. The series began in 2021 with A Night on Earth in Scotland, which was followed by the Journey in 2023 and last year’s A Night on Earth in Jerez de la Frontera. While the first release was obviously a nod to the distillery’s home, the last one paid tribute to the Spanish source of the sherry-seasoned casks in which the lion’s share of the distillery’s whisky is matured.
The new release, the First Light, is meant to celebrate the arrival of the New Year in New Zealand, which is about as far-flung from Scotland as you can get. “This edition is about light, its cultural symbolism and its sensory warmth,” said whisky maker Russell Greig in a statement. “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.”
As mentioned before, what sets this whisky apart is the use of a spirit matured in bourbon barrels in the blend. According to the distillery, these were used sparingly to bring “delicate sweetness” to the palate, and the majority of the whisky in this release was still aged in sherry-seasoned American and European oak. Ex-bourbon barrels are the backbone of the scotch whisky industry, as these casks can only be used once here in America and are then sent to countries like Scotland, Ireland, and Japan to age their spirits. The Macallan has certainly used bourbon barrels in a release before, but it is much less common (or at least, less talked about). We did not get to try this new whisky yet, but the official tasting notes describe notes of caramel, mellow baking spices, vanilla ice cream, pavlova, icing sugar, stone fruits, and hints of coconut and Manuka honey on the palate.
The Macallan collaborated with New Zealand illustrator Bonnie Brown to create a special gift box for this whisky. “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,” she said. “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 now via select retailers around the world (SRP $124). And you can find many other expressions in the lineup at websites like ReserveBar now.
Authors
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Jonah Flicker
