The Macallan has chosen Paris as the setting for the fifth edition of its Distil Your World series, a collection that explores some of the world’s great cultural capitals through whisky. The new expression, Distil Your World Paris, was presented on 25 February in the French capital at a private gathering held at the historic Lycée Henri-IV before an international group of collectors and industry influencers.
The project once again features the collaboration of the Roca brothers, owners of El Celler de Can Roca, in an initiative that seeks to connect the world of whisky with the haute cuisine and culture of each city that inspires the series. Following editions dedicated to New York, London, Mexico City and Hong Kong, this new creation focuses on Parisian culinary tradition and the social ritual of l’art de la table, understood as the sum of all the elements that make up the gastronomic experience: ingredients, setting, presentation and hospitality.
The whisky was crafted by Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan, who conceived this edition as a sensory interpretation of the French capital. Its aromatic profile evokes references from Paris’ gastronomic imagination, with notes of buttered pastries, brioche, ripe fruit and mild spices.
The whisky’s structure is built from a combination of American and European oak casks seasoned with sherry, alongside ex-bourbon casks and, for the first time in the series, casks that previously contained cognac. This last element introduces an additional dimension inspired by the French tradition of distillates and adds a layer of refinement that characterises this edition.
The bottle design and presentation also reflect the connection with the city. The natural colour of the whisky, called Parisian Sunrise, is inspired by the golden light of dawn over Montmartre. The outer box incorporates visual references to Parisian street lighting, while the interior features an illustration by artist Cassandre Montoriol, recreating a night-time scene of a shared table on a Parisian street.
The launch is also accompanied by a documentary that captures the creative process behind this edition. In it, Kirsteen Campbell and Joan Roca visit different spaces of Parisian gastronomic culture and meet with artisans and key figures in the city’s culinary scene, including chef Anne-Sophie Pic, baker Apollonia Poilâne and historical menu collector Jérôme Dumant.
The official presentation also included a pairing menu conceived jointly by Anne-Sophie Pic —the chef with the most Michelin stars in the world— and Joan Roca, a gastronomic proposal inspired by French culinary tradition and designed to complement the nuances of whisky.
Distil Your World Paris will be available globally through The Macallan and selected distributors, with its arrival on the Spanish market scheduled for 28 March.
