I often hear about Pantone Color Institute every November or December when they decide the following year’s colour trend (for perspective, the 2020 Color of the Year is Classic Blue). The idea may seem to have a touch of autocracy on it, but it has actually been useful in serving as an inspiration for several different fields such as fashion, product design, and graphic materials.
So, why are people suddenly reading about Pantone on a drink site? No, I’m not jumping ship and writing about fashion or art (tempting, but I’ll leave that to the experts). Today, I’m writing about The Macallan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky’s collaboration with Pantone Color Institute in the form of The Macallan Edition No. 5.
For those who are not familiar with the brand, a little history: The multi-awarded whisky label has been synonymous with quality Speyside single malts since its founding in 1824 by Alexander Reid. The distillery has unveiled its new facilities that focus on furthering their products, warehousing, and even “visitor experience” (their new contemporary architecture looks so cool online).
It is with this passionate desire to create beautifully crafted whiskies that they conceptualized The Macallan Edition No. 5, using only American oak casks to create full, sweet flavors of vanilla, caramel, basil, and fresh tropical and citrus fruits… and, of course, is for its expression of color. In The Macallan Edition No. 5’s case, the barrels gave the whisky a “beautiful sunlit barley” color.
It is in the spirit of celebrating this colour expression that the collaboration between The Macallan and Pantone Color Institute was brought about. According to Sarah Burgess, The Macallan Whisky Maker, “We can find much common ground between whisky making and colour creation, and with Edition No. 5 we have been able to explore and celebrate these two art forms. Whilst colour development starts with mixing basic colours with precision to achieve different shades, for whisky making, it is the knowledge and understanding of a specific palette of colours from the cask (that) is the starting point. From here we can craft the desired character and specific colour of the final whisky.”
Further commenting on the collaboration, Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, said, “As the rainbow’s most complex colour, purple naturally felt like the ideal shade to highlight the equally complex process involved in The Macallan’s whisky making. The new vibrant shade developed for Edition No. 5 brings to life the exquisite combination of distinctive natural hues found in its whisky.”
Yup, the label on The Macallan No. 5 is a specially made Pantone colour for the distillery.
Speaking of celebrations, the Philippine launch of The Macallan Edition No. 5 was held last 30 January 2020 at the El Nido Villa, Okada Manila. The highlight of the colourful event was the five rooms:
- Black Room – Showcased the distinctive, limited The Macallan Edition Series
- White Room – Represented The Macallan’s dedication to 100% natural color
- Red Room – Represented the Art of Whisky Making and Color Creation
- Blue Room – Represented the Science of Whisky Making and Color Creation
The event also featured a cocktail called Purple Dream made from The Macallan 12 Double Cask.
People interested in The Macallan Edition No. 5 can register online, follow their Facebook page and their Instagram account for updates. People could also check out The Macallan Singapore Online Boutique, which offers consumers The Macallan’s core whiskies and official merchandise. Bonus: Complimentary shipping on orders above SGD$100 with a shorter shipping duration.
A collaboration with Jean Park
