Whisky maker Macallan hosted a launch on Friday for its new limited-edition collector's single malt, Macallan Cask 888. The spirit was drawn from a special sherry-seasoned European oak cask that was numbered 888, and the firm even bottled it in a special limited-edition decanter on August 8, 2008. Only 720 bottles exist and 24 were set aside for Hong Kong. Given the auspicious number, it's no surprise most of them are already spoken for.
However, folks who weren't whisky connoisseurs had other things to admire, since the event was held at the Lalique Lounge in Duddell Street. The crystalware maker has a connection with the Scottish booze, not to mention it has a new collection of glass sculptures called Le Noir Cristal on offer. No overseas executives of Macallan were present, but Lalique's head designer and chief executive from France were in attendance. 'We have a history with Macallan because we've created two special decanters for them and will have a third one this fall,' said Lalique CEO Roger von der Weid, who was in town for only two days. 'I'd like to do more collaborations, but we're very selective. It would have to be companies that share similar values and brand identity.'
However, we wonder if the spirits were flowing too freely. Few guests seemed to pay attention during the speeches and, as the night progressed, the hosts went from serving 10-year-old malt, to 12 years, then to 15 and even a 25-year-old vintage. By then, isn't everyone already too numb to taste anything?
