Mexico, a land of rich traditions and lively celebrations, plays host to one of the world's most vibrant festivities—the Day of the Dead. It's a time when families come together to honour their departed loved ones, a joyous commemoration of life's enduring spirit.
The Macallan Whisky maker Diane Stuart and Joan Roca, of the award-winning Roca brothers, embarked on a journey to Mexico during the Day of the Dead festival on a mission to distil the very essence of this event.
Immersing themselves in the vibrant celebration and local traditions, they created unique single malt whisky and a culinary experience like no other.
Watch their inspiring journey of discovery in the Distil Your World Mexico Documentary.
The Spirit of Mexico
Along their journey, Diane and Joan spent time with remarkable individuals who embodied Mexico's traditions, craftsmanship, and artistic nature. Each character they encountered represented a unique facet of Mexico's culture, from artistry to history and nature.
Through these people, they discovered the traditions of the land that they would later incorporate into a unique single malt and complex, daring menu.
Elena Reygadas - Chef & Baker
Elena Reygadas is a chef and baker and acclaimed as The World’s Best Female Chef 2023 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants. She introduces Diane and Joan to the ritual and traditions of baking pan de muertos, a sweet bread consumed on the Day of the Dead. The pan de muertos is symbolic as a tribute to life and also offered at the altars of loved ones passed. This sweet bread is made with orange blossom, orange and, above all, a lot of love.
Alfredo Ríos - Illustrator
Alfredo Río is a Mexican illustrator with an admiration for nature and traditional Mexican culture. His illustration is featured in the Distil Your World Mexico pack; a piece of art centred on the symbology of the Day of the Dead festival.
Josefina García - Director of collections and educational services at the Dolores Olmedo Museum.
Josefina guides Diane and Joan around the Museum of Popular Art in Mexico City providing an insight into the origin of the city, as well as the depth of its traditions and the symbology of the Day of the Dead festival.
Erika Ponce - Make up artist & teacher
Erika Ponce is a make up artist and teacher based in Puebla, who specialises in the make up of Catarinas. She introduces Joan and Diane the origins of Catarinas make up and signficance to the celebration today. She considers make up a powerful tool during the festival as it enables people to lose their inhabitions.
Luis Pérez - Farmer
Luis Pérez and his family have been farming the land in San Luis Tlaxialtemalco for three generations. He believes respect for the countryside is key to ensuring a sustainable and respectful environment. He plants Marigold seeds (cempasuchil) in July for the Day of the Dead season and when they bloom this signifies the arrival of the celebration. Marigolds flowers are central to the festival and symbolise a hope of being reunited with loved ones.
The Menu
The Roca brothers, Joan, Josep and Jordi Roca found inspiration in the colours, shapes, and characters of the Day of the Dead festival. Their artful curation pays homage to Mexico's creative, vibrant, and playful spirit.
A sensorial immersion of Mexico, each dish is a unique spin on classic Mexican cuisine, resulting in a menu that's as complex and daring as the whisky itself. This gastronomic experience translates the spirit of Mexico and captures Mexico's cultural heartbeat, from the vibrant celebration to the culinary traditions that form the tapestry of Mexican life.
Distilling the Essence
As The Macallan's Whisky Maker, Diane embarked on a quest to craft an extraordinary, truly unique single malt. With meticulous dedication, she worked with the Whisky Master Team to select oak casks that would define the character and spirit of this vibrant tradition.
In her pursuit, Diane translated the spirit of Mexico and distilled the Day of the Dead festival into this exceptional whisky. The result is a single malt that not only reflects the people and traditions of this remarkable land but also offers a captivating journey in aroma and flavour. It's a complex spirit that artfully bottles the vibrancy of this cultural celebration.
"Mexico is full of passion and energy, and you can feel it from the moment you arrive. On the Day of the Dead that escalates to create the most amazing atmosphere of excitement and celebration. This passion and energy is what we try to capture in Distil Your World Mexico and was a fantastic opportunity to explore The Macallan’s inventory to find just the right flavours to reflect Mexico."
Diane Stuart
Whisky Maker
Symbolic Elements
The vibrant pink hue, symbolising joyous and the celebration of life, graces both the bottle and the pack. Mexican illustrator Alfredo Ríos’ illustrations bring to life essential cultural elements that lie at the heart of the Day of the Dead festival.
Marigold flowers are symbolic of hope, signifying a yearning to be reunited with cherished departed souls. These aromatic blossoms are believed to attract the spirits of those who have passed, guiding them back to the realm of the living.
The inclusion of flowers, birds, fish, and hares holds deep cultural significance during this festival, representing the unending cycle of life itself. They remind us that life is a continuous journey, beautifully interconnected.
The guitar, an integral element, pays homage to the profound importance of mariachi music within the celebration. It serves as a harmonious farewell, accompanying departed souls on their final journey.
Each of these symbolic elements, thoughtfully curated, serves as a living tribute to Mexico's rich cultural heritage, embodying the essence of a tradition that beautifully blends the celebration of life with the remembrance of souls who have passed.
Distil Your World Mexico Limited Edition
Matured in a combination of meticulously selected oak casks, this single malt exudes notes of creamy vanilla, sweet pineapple and chocolately Mexican mole with charred pineapple.