The Macallan Unveils a Special Limited Edition Collaboration to Celebrate Chinese New Year

Most celebrations involve the basics: a significant event or cause; close colleagues, family, and friends to share the moment with; and, of course, food and drinks. Chinese New Year is no exception. This year, the country, and, indeed, the rest of the world, is marking the auspicious arrival of the Earth Dragon with numerous celebrations. Dining tables will be filled with all of the usual party food and everyone will be toasting to the new year with their drink of choice. 

For those with more refined tastes, The Macallan has introduced A Night on Earth – The Journey, a unique single malt Scotch whisky created to represent the journey to recognize special times we spend with those who mean the most to us, and those moments around the world when we come together. 

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For Chinese New Year, the second release in The Macallan’s A Night on Earth series is a collaboration with acclaimed Chinese mixed-media artist Nini Sum on an innovative, multi-layered pack for the limited-edition whisky. 

Photo by The Macallan.

The whisky itself was created using a balanced combination of The Macallan’s exceptional sherry seasoned European and American oak casks together with American ex-bourbon barrels.

The flavor profile evokes some of Nini Sum’s New Year memories—from the effervescent burst of fireworks to the sweet smell of steamed rice pudding. The aroma is reminiscent of toasted oak emanating from the carts of the rice popcorn vendors on the brightly decorated streets of Shanghai. There is a nuttiness to the whisky, which echoes the sunflower seeds Nini’s family shared as they laughed and talked about their wishes for the new year.

Bottled at 43 percent ABV, A Night on Earth – The Journey showcases the skill of the Whisky Mastery Team, and The Macallan’s dedication to incomparable craftsmanship and excellence.

Photo by The Macallan.

“The collaboration with Nini Sum focuses on the idea of bringing something special back to your family when you return home: the coming together of old friends and family, with reflection on the past year, and hope for the coming one,” says Jaume Ferras, global creative director at The Macallan. “A Night on Earth – The Journey is a remarkable whisky which draws on inspiration from New Year. These complex flavours play an important role in this celebration, and an essential role in the flavour profile of this unique single malt.” 

“This is the perfect whisky to savour at special moments, best enjoyed with friends, family and loved ones while reminiscing of the year past and looking to the future,” he added.

Each layer of the special pack designed by Nini Sum is imbued with meaning. The first layer depicts an expansive landscape: the night sky is strewn with stars and fireworks, progressing into a daylight scene of mountains wreathed with clouds. The second layer featuring a blue color palette with contemporary urban scenery creates contrast and surprise. Bright strikes of color signify the mass movement of people out of the city as they travel to visit family and friends. The third layer, with its amber and orange tones, symbolizes the warmth of lantern light and the feeling of coming home.  

Photo by The Macallan.

“The steam coming off hot food during the New Year dinner is one of the most vivid ‘home’ feelings I remember,” Nini Sum says. “I wanted to re-create that atmosphere, those precious moments of gathering and reunion under a bright moon bringing us all together. During this time of the year, people who work in big cities go through the world’s largest annual human migration to go back to their hometowns for that moment of reunion with their families and friends. When the fire is lit inside and paper lanterns hang from the roof, you know there is someone there waiting for you to come home so they can welcome you with a hot meal and a hug.”

Bottled at 43 percent ABV, A Night on Earth – The Journey showcases the skill of the Whisky Mastery Team, and The Macallan’s dedication to incomparable craftsmanship and excellence.