Telling the story of Scotland’s world-famous Hogmanay festivities celebrated annually on 31st December, A Night on Earth in Scotland captures the universal joy of celebrating the change of year.

This seasonal release is a collaboration with acclaimed Japanese-French illustrator Erica Dorn, whose artwork has featured in director Wes Anderson’s films.

The single malt is presented in unique packaging to provide a special unboxing experience and Dorn’s playful abstract illustrations are inspired by the historic fire rituals dominant in New Year celebrations around the world.

Hogmanay, pronounced “hog·muh·nei”, is Scotland’s renowned New Year’s Eve festivities. Erica Dorn’s bespoke designs reveal some of the distinctive customs of Scotland’s Hogmanay, including the act of ‘first footing’ when it is good luck for a dark-haired visitor to be the first person to cross the threshold of your home after the stroke of midnight.

According to tradition, the ‘first footer’ will carry three things: shortbread, whisky and coal for the fire. Each gift is designed to bring comfort and happiness to your home for the rest of the year. Shortbread is also a prominent flavour in the whisky.

A Night on Earth in Scotland is created from a selection of The Macallan’s exceptional American and European oak sherry seasoned casks, along with American ex-bourbon barrels to deliver its rich, sweet shortbread-like character. A whisky referencing the rich Scottish delicacy traditionally gifted and eaten at Hogmanay, punctuated by festive notes of dried orange and spice.

A Perfect Pairing: Sip neat with shortbread on the side.

This release is about a special time of year and the vibrant, playful design of the packaging reflects the joyous celebratory nature of the occasion. The unique, multi-layered gift box showcases Erica Dorn’s bespoke abstract designs and the packaging’s colour palette also expresses the Hogmanay story.

Red is a colour synonymous with our history and heritage. This is the outside colour and represents fire, created by the coal traditionally gifted during the Scottish custom of first footing, as well as providing connotations of good fortune, success, happiness and vitality.

Upon opening the gift box you discover a blue interior, representing the night skies of Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) and the blue from the national flag of Scotland, the Saltire.​

As the presentation box is opened, the bottle is surrounded by rich amber colours, shining like opening a chest of gold. This represents the Scottish shortbread, a rich, sweet biscuit consumed at Hogmanay, which is also present in the whisky notes.