There are certain elements that connect us all: food, a shared sense of community, a desire to learn, explore and grow. Distil your World is about masters learning from masters, as we seek to capture the essence of the world’s most iconic places.
Together with the Roca brothers, The Macallan journeyed to Jerez, Spain to uncover the people, unseen flavours and culture that form and inform the essence of this beautiful city.
Distil your world Jerez
Culture, Tradition and The Palomino Grape
Based in the region of Andalusia, Jerez is known for its sherry production. The chalky white albariza soil combined with the unique climate of the region is the perfect environment for growing Palomino grapes used in making sherry. In addition, it is a city of rich heritage and culture, famous for its flamenco music and the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art.
The Roca brothers trace their memories of sherry wine to one of the main dishes their mother made at the family restaurant: kidneys in sherry sauce. Josep Roca, the wine sommelier of El Celler de Can Roca has the closest connection with the sherry rich region of Andalusia, and Jerez in particular.
"I remember walking around the town and hearing Camarón and flamenco in the houses and the bars as that culture was always very present and alive."
Josep Roca
The Sherry Bodegas
This area also holds special significance for The Macallan. Our relationship with Jerez spans many decades; it is in this region where you will find the cooperages which make our oak casks and the sherry bodegas that season them. The Macallan Master of Wood Stuart MacPherson, part of our Whisky Mastery Team, spends a portion of each year in Jerez overseeing the entire journey of our wood, working closely with the cooperages and sherry bodegas.
Sherry seasoned oak casks form an essential part of the process in maturing The Macallan single malts, and the sherry bodegas of Jerez share a similar sense of purpose and dedication to their craft.
Try The Macallan Orange Oak serve curated by Josep Roca and El Celler de Can Roca
Ingredients:
15 ml orange liqueur or Grand Marnier
30 ml Oloroso Abocado Lustau sherry
45 ml The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old
Oak shavings
Ice
Method:
Put the ice in a cocktail shaker and pour over the orange liqueur. Add the sherry and the whisky. Finish the serve by adding smoke from the oak shavings.