The Macallan Unveils Hong Kong-Inspired Whisky in Collaboration With Roca Brothers

The Macallan has released the fourth edition of its Distil Your World series, this time focusing on the city of Hong Kong. The launch, announced on October 8, 2025, is the result of a collaboration between The Macallan’s Lead Whisky Maker, Euan Kennedy, and the Roca brothers, owners of the acclaimed El Celler de Can Roca in Spain. The project aims to capture the essence of Hong Kong in both a single malt Scotch whisky and a culinary experience.

Euan Kennedy and Joan Roca traveled through Hong Kong, exploring its neighborhoods, markets, and cultural landmarks. Their goal was to understand the city’s character and translate it into the flavors and structure of a new whisky. The result is a single malt that reflects Hong Kong’s blend of tradition and modernity. The whisky is naturally dark in color and features bold flavors of dry spices, including ginger and cinnamon, drawn from European oak casks seasoned with sherry. These notes are complemented by hints of local spices found in Hong Kong’s markets. The aroma offers a deep, resinous sweetness with ginger, fragrant honey, old oak, and tropical notes like grapefruit and mango, reminiscent of the city’s classic egg tart. On the palate, the whisky combines bright tropical sweetness, rounded spices, and a depth of umami, finishing with vibrant old oak.

To accompany the whisky, the Roca brothers created a menu inspired by Hong Kong’s landscape and cultural heritage. The menu includes dishes such as Yum cha, a Casa Cacao tea blend, Rose Ha gau, Cheung fun with scallop and sea urchin, and a truffle cha siu bao. Main courses feature sweet and sour vegetables inspired by Temple Night Market, shrimp roe mousse, steamed abalone, cabbage and seaweed referencing the Geological Park, and a duck dumpling with milk tea in the form of a mooncake. The meal concludes with a dessert inspired by Hong Kong’s skyline, designed to reflect the city’s architectural landmarks.

Euan Kennedy described the whisky as a personal project, inspired by his time exploring Hong Kong with Joan Roca. He said the whisky’s structure was meant to mirror the city’s architectural contrasts, rising from the sea to green peaks, and its complexity invites repeated tasting. Joan Roca emphasized the creative process behind the project, noting that their culinary proposal draws from Hong Kong’s deep-rooted traditions and diverse cultures while also representing its modernity.

The Distil Your World series documents The Macallan and the Roca brothers’ exploration of iconic cities around the world. Previous editions have focused on New York, London, and Mexico City, each time seeking to capture the spirit of the place in both whisky and food. The Hong Kong edition is accompanied by a short film, “Reimagining Spaces,” which follows Euan Kennedy and Joan Roca as they experience the city’s blend of East and West, tradition and innovation. The film highlights encounters with local figures who represent Hong Kong’s creativity, heritage, and community spirit.

The recommended retail price for the new Distil Your World Hong Kong edition is €4,500. The release is aimed at collectors and enthusiasts interested in both fine whisky and the stories behind its creation.