LOUNGE /
FEATURES
March 14, 2024
The Macallan Celebrates 200 Years with a Special Two-Day Lounge | FEATURE
Sponsored
FEATURE | THE MACALLAN
A Limited-Time Bar to Fully Enjoy "The Macallan Double Cask" That Descended Upon Omotesando Hills
Suntory's Scotch whisky brand in Japan, "The Macallan," held a special event on March 9th and 10th, two days only, at Space O on the B3F of Omotesando Hills' main building. We sincerely apologize that this article, due to the limited two-day window, will be a post-event report. This event, celebrating the brand's 200th anniversary, re-communicated the charm of "The Macallan Double Cask" to its fans. This article looks back at what "The Macallan Double Cask" is, which was featured this time, and what took place at the venue.
The Macallan: The Most Aromatic with a Spirit Designed to Emphasize Cask Influence
By the way, everyone, do you like whisky? "Yes, I love it!" I immediately raise both hands. While I usually tend to guzzle sake and wine, whisky is excellent as a post-meal digestif. I enjoy letting it linger, moistening my lips with a straight pour, savoring the aftertaste. Or, on days when I don't want to get too drunk but still want to enjoy some leisurely time, I sometimes sip whisky from the start. For me, whisky is a "chill drink." My way of enjoying whisky is to relax and focus on my own time.
Therefore, the aroma of whisky is extremely important, as it enhances the feeling of relaxation. This leads to two choices: going for a smoky profile with peat, or an elegant sweetness derived from oak casks. I love both. I choose different whiskies depending on my mood.
Of course, I leave the peaty, smoky types to the Islay brands. For the latter, whisky with a pronounced cask influence, my top recommendation is "The Macallan." While there are several distilleries in Scotland's Speyside region that produce similarly cask-influenced whiskies, "The Macallan" leaves the most aromatic impression. It truly lives up to its praise as the "Rolls-Royce of Single Malts."
This is because the distillery has been meticulously focused on the influence of casks (or "bouquet," in wine terms). Not only do they craft their own oak casks, but they even own forest reserves in Spain to secure high-quality oak wood.
These own casks are first used to mature sherry for about a year and a half. Once the sherry's vibrant fruitiness has sufficiently infused the cask, the cask is then transported to the distillery in Scotland, where The Macallan's new make spirit is filled and aging begins. For the standard expressions, the aging period is 12 years. Considering the six years it takes to complete one cask, that's 18 years. It is through these very long years that "The Macallan" whisky eventually reaches our hands.
Adding Sweetness and Freshness with a Double Cask Approach Using European and American Oak
Now, while "The Macallan" is characterized by its vibrant sherry-derived aroma, one expression that has captivated fans since its release in 2016 is "The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old." "Cask" refers to the barrel, and "Double" indicates that it is a vatting (blend) of whiskies aged in European (Spanish) oak casks and American oak casks.
Until then, "The Macallan" primarily used European (Spanish) oak, grown in their own forests. However, with "The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old," they took the bold step of also using American oak. European oak imparts flavors like dark chocolate and spices to the whisky, while American oak, due to the inherent vanillin content in the wood, contributes sweet flavors such as vanilla, coconut, and caramel, as well as citrus notes like lemon.
In other words, Double Cask combines the best of both worlds. Consequently, the vibrant and sweet aroma is enhanced. At the same time, the addition of sharp citrus nuances lifts the whisky's profile, resulting in a refreshing and light palate. It achieves a depth that balances both sweetness and acidity. If you were to compare it to BOSE's sound, which equalizes high and low frequencies for a powerful bass and treble, perhaps you would understand. I find the spirit design of this Double Cask to be very appealing, as it seems to represent the current era.
I understand "The Macallan Double Cask" to be the embodiment of The Macallan's philosophy, which combines innovation and creativity.
And what took place at the venue over these two days...
The special lounge set up at Omotesando Hills B3F Space O featured motifs paying homage to The Macallan distillery throughout. The Spey River's flow was represented by wave patterns, the lattice pattern symbolized the distillery's ceiling, and the copper color evoked the distillery's pot stills.
While the design is edgy and modern, it mirrors that of The Macallan distillery itself. The distillery, built in 2018, boasts an innovative design that integrates with nature. One might typically imagine old, stone-walled buildings for a whisky distillery, but The Macallan's is far beyond such expectations.
At the special lounge's counter, four guest bartenders were on hand, crafting two types of limited cocktails for the occasion. "THE COBBLER" was a refreshing blend of Double Cask 12 Years Old with apple flavor. COBBLER, meaning a shoemaker, refers to a drink that quenches thirst, with its light sweet and sour notes standing out. Meanwhile, "FLOWERS" was an even softer cocktail with added tea flavor. It seemed approachable even for those not accustomed to alcohol.
However, as guest bartender Mitsu-san also mentioned, for fully enjoying the floral and refreshing qualities of "The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old," a simple highball is recommended. The cask aroma is boosted by the carbonation bubbles, enveloping you in its richness. My personal recommendation, of course, is neat. Adding an equal amount of mineral water afterward and performing a 'twice up' in the mouth allows for consumption without a burning sensation in the throat.
Additionally, guest artists performed live music daily, and food pairings suitable for whisky were offered, delighting fans over the two days. Most notably, customers who made a purchase of 3,000 yen or more in a single transaction at any store within Omotesando Hills during the event received one complimentary drink (straight, on the rocks, or highball), contributing to the event's great success. We are immensely grateful to Suntory, the sponsor, for organizing such a wonderful event! As a fan, I sincerely hope for its return soon.
