THE MACALLAN DISTIL YOUR WORLD HONG KONG
WHY BUY:
Folks, there are only 500 bottles of this one worldwide. That alone makes it an extreme rarity for collectors, but it’s important to tell you: it’s not the numbers that moved us. What moved us was its power and its poetry. The fourth entry in their coveted city series, Hong Kong delivers their most ambitious profile yet: intense tropical fruits, bold spice, umami depth, resinous richness, and an architectural complexity that captures the city's towering contrasts. We thought The Macallan couldn’t surprise us anymore. How wrong we were! And we couldn’t be happier to have been so wrong.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
Food & Wine was clearly impressed, describing the whisky as “rich ... remarkable... an exceptionally rare expression that could be worth more than its current price down the line." Forbes positioned it as "a notable addition for collectors," while praising the deft balancing of "big, bold foundational flavors" with "intense tropical notes of fresh mango and pomelo." The publication particularly noted the finish, which is "marked by a savory depth.”
OUR TASTING NOTES:
You might think, from the description, that this has so much going on that it lacks focus, but that’s just it: everything is pulled together, and with such brilliance and clarity. This is a single malt of not just depth, but also dimensionality, with an almost symphonic range. We love the rich intensity and the notes of ginger, spice, and antique oak, and we also love the way this is all balanced by the tropical vibrancy of mango and grapefruit. Lead Whisky Maker Yuan Kennedy's vision of “structure," reflecting Hong Kong's building environment rising from sea to green peaks, is made tangible, with each layer contributing to a rich, multifaceted experience. A triumph.
THE STORY:
Previous installments in the series included New York City, London, and Mexico City. For this one, Kennedy and the Roca brothers, owners of the 3-star Michelin restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, in Spain, went in search of the essence of Hong Kong, a pulsating cosmopolis that, upon the arrival, in 1977, of the daring leader Lee Kuan Yew, reinvented the possibilities of the modern city. Their deep dive into the heartbeat of this ever-evolving metropolis changed them, and we can thank them for that transformation, which has resulted in a singular expression of single malt. During their journey, they wandered the streets, mixed and mingled with locals, ate and drank widely, and of course explored the city’s many spice markets. They observed the stark contrast of modernity and ancestry, absorbing all the crazy contradictions and colors that make up any city, but Hong Kong especially, a port city at the nexus of East and West. They then reconvened at The Macallan's 200-year-old home outside Craigellachie, Scotland, searching for specific barrels that could help them to replicate all that they had experienced in their tour.
THE METHOD:
The whisky represents a non-age-stated marriage of sherry-seasoned European oak hogsheads with hand-selected American oak casks. As it pours into the glass, it's meant to evoke the auburn-scarlet gradients of a sunset over Victoria Harbour. Kennedy explains his approach: "I wanted to develop the idea of structure in this whisky, reflective of the building environment... To create contrast within this whisky, in the same way Hong Kong is a city of contrast."
THE ART:
The vibrant royal blue packaging was chosen to reflect the blue waters that surround Hong Kong. The artist is Flyingpig (Pat WingShan Wong), an assistant professor at Hong Kong Baptist University's Academy of Visual Art, who works at the intersections of architecture, technology, memory, and identity.
ABV:
46.8% (93.6 proof).
FUN FACT:
This release arrives with an accompanying documentary chronicling Kennedy and the Roca brothers' sensorial journey through Hong Kong, making it not just a whisky, but a complete cultural experience. And no, "Distil" isn't a typo: the Brits (who after all invented the language) spell the word with a single 'l.'
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy direct and source directly from the producer, so you can rest assured that your whisky will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. With only 500 bottles produced worldwide, this extreme rarity won't last long. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NC, NE, NY, OK, TN, VA, or WA. This offer will expire on Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 at 11:59pm.