The Macallan has unveiled a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky to mark the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The release continues the whisky maker’s creative partnership with the Bond franchise, following its James Bond 60th Anniversary bottling in 2022.
Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig, the expression takes inspiration from Bond’s role in Diamonds Are Forever, a secret agent with a penchant for claret. This thread informs both the cask selection and the final character of the whisky.
The single malt was distilled in 2007 – stylised here as ‘2007’ – and matured for 18 years. Its construction centres on bespoke hybrid casks, combining sherry-seasoned European and American oak with an additional, less conventional element: American oak casks previously used to mature red wine.
The inclusion is a knowing nod to moments in the film where Bond’s knowledge of wine becomes a tool for deduction. According to The Macallan, the cask combination was designed to mirror the film’s sense of duality, where appearances often conceal something more complex beneath.
The seventh official entry in the Bond franchise, Diamonds are Forever saw Sean Connery return to the role, following George Lazenby’s one and done appearance as Fleming’s iconic hero in On her Majesty’s Secret Service.
According to The Macallan, the cask combination was designed to mirror the film’s sense of duality…
The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release tasting notes
Bottled at 45.5% ABV, this special edition whisky is presented in its natural colour, described as ‘Nevada Rock’. Its a warm red-orange hue inspired by the desert landscapes surrounding Las Vegas, one of the movie’s key locations.
According to official tasting notes, this second Bond bottling opens with polished oak, vanilla bean and rich dried fruits, on the nose.
The palate follows with creamy vanilla and caramel leading into cocoa-dusted champagne truffles. Notes of coffee, figs, berries and apricots add depth, while gentle spices emerge towards the back of the palate, creating a layered, complex profile.
The finish is said to be long and refined.
The bottle and presentation pack draw directly from Diamonds Are Forever production artwork held in the official Bond archives. Visual references include the film’s laser-beam satellite imagery and elements from the opening title sequence, offering collectors a subtle, archival link to the Bond universe.
Russell Greig describes the whisky as reflective of Bond himself: “It may appear dark and mysterious, yet on the palate it surprises with elegance and lightness. Each cask adds a layer to the story.”
Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan, notes that the brand has appeared in more than 290 film and television productions, adding that this release is intended to honour Bond’s enduring place in cinema through a whisky that prioritises craft over spectacle.
Priced at £600, The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release will be available exclusively via themacallan.com, The Macallan Estate Boutique, and Heathrow Airport from February 3 – 17 2026.
From March 5, the release will be available at selected UK retailers including Harrods, Selfridges, The Whisky Shop, Master of Malt and Amazon.
Bowmore has joined forces with design studio Snarkitecture for a pair of 20 Year Old single malts. This is Snarkitecture’s first venture into whisky; the design studio is better known for its experimental, arty approach to architecture. Co-founder Alex Mustonen travelled from New York to Islay, drawing inspiration from the island’s landscape and Bowmore’s historic…
After an 11-year absence, Hibiki 12 Years Old is returning to airport shelves as a new Global Travel Retail whisky exclusive. Duty-free is increasingly becoming a happy hunting ground for limited editions and hard-to-find whisky releases. A new entry on our wants-list is this Hibiki 12 Years Old, particularly notable as the expression has been…
The Dalmore has returned to its dunnage warehouses for a limited 14 Year Old single malt whisky finished in Semisecco Marsala casks. It’s the latest expression in the Distillery Select Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies drawn from small parcels of stock at the distillery. First launched in 2024, each release in the Series is…
The Macallan has unveiled a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky to mark the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The release continues the whisky maker’s creative partnership with the Bond franchise, following its James Bond 60th Anniversary bottling in 2022.
Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig, the expression takes inspiration from Bond’s role in Diamonds Are Forever, a secret agent with a penchant for claret. This thread informs both the cask selection and the final character of the whisky.
The single malt was distilled in 2007 – stylised here as ‘2007’ – and matured for 18 years. Its construction centres on bespoke hybrid casks, combining sherry-seasoned European and American oak with an additional, less conventional element: American oak casks previously used to mature red wine.
The inclusion is a knowing nod to moments in the film where Bond’s knowledge of wine becomes a tool for deduction. According to The Macallan, the cask combination was designed to mirror the film’s sense of duality, where appearances often conceal something more complex beneath.
The seventh official entry in the Bond franchise, Diamonds are Forever saw Sean Connery return to the role, following George Lazenby’s one and done appearance as Fleming’s iconic hero in On her Majesty’s Secret Service.
The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release tasting notes
Bottled at 45.5% ABV, this special edition whisky is presented in its natural colour, described as ‘Nevada Rock’. Its a warm red-orange hue inspired by the desert landscapes surrounding Las Vegas, one of the movie’s key locations.
According to official tasting notes, this second Bond bottling opens with polished oak, vanilla bean and rich dried fruits, on the nose.
The palate follows with creamy vanilla and caramel leading into cocoa-dusted champagne truffles. Notes of coffee, figs, berries and apricots add depth, while gentle spices emerge towards the back of the palate, creating a layered, complex profile.
The finish is said to be long and refined.
The bottle and presentation pack draw directly from Diamonds Are Forever production artwork held in the official Bond archives. Visual references include the film’s laser-beam satellite imagery and elements from the opening title sequence, offering collectors a subtle, archival link to the Bond universe.
Russell Greig describes the whisky as reflective of Bond himself: “It may appear dark and mysterious, yet on the palate it surprises with elegance and lightness. Each cask adds a layer to the story.”
Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan, notes that the brand has appeared in more than 290 film and television productions, adding that this release is intended to honour Bond’s enduring place in cinema through a whisky that prioritises craft over spectacle.
Priced at £600, The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release will be available exclusively via themacallan.com, The Macallan Estate Boutique, and Heathrow Airport from February 3 – 17 2026.
From March 5, the release will be available at selected UK retailers including Harrods, Selfridges, The Whisky Shop, Master of Malt and Amazon.
Bowmore takes whisky lovers on sherry and oak journey with 20 Year Old Captivo Collection
Bowmore has joined forces with design studio Snarkitecture for a pair of 20 Year Old single malts. This is Snarkitecture’s first venture into whisky; the design studio is better known for its experimental, arty approach to architecture. Co-founder Alex Mustonen travelled from New York to Islay, drawing inspiration from the island’s landscape and Bowmore’s historic…
Hibiki 12 Year Old Japanese whisky returns after an 11 year absence but you’ll have to fly to get one
After an 11-year absence, Hibiki 12 Years Old is returning to airport shelves as a new Global Travel Retail whisky exclusive. Duty-free is increasingly becoming a happy hunting ground for limited editions and hard-to-find whisky releases. A new entry on our wants-list is this Hibiki 12 Years Old, particularly notable as the expression has been…
The Dalmore Distillery Select series returns with a 14 Year Old Marsala-finished single malt whisky
The Dalmore has returned to its dunnage warehouses for a limited 14 Year Old single malt whisky finished in Semisecco Marsala casks. It’s the latest expression in the Distillery Select Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies drawn from small parcels of stock at the distillery. First launched in 2024, each release in the Series is…
Share this: