East Asia Whisky Company releases stunning Macallan Mizunara Single Malts crafted in partnership with Glencairn Crystal
Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition
Award-winning independent bottler, East Asia Whisky Company, is releasing a number of exclusive, very limited-edition Macallan single malt scotch whiskies this autumn, all encased in exquisite decanters hand-crafted by Glencairn Crystal, the internationally renowned Scottish glassware company.
Three rare whiskies will be released from early October onwards: Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition – as the third in a previously released set of stunning single malts, as well as Macallan Origins – a unique set of two whiskies that have been curated alongside Ephemerus Concepts, available to purchase as a duo.
Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition:
This edition is inspired by the Japanese term ‘Komorebi’ meaning ‘sunlight filtering through trees’. Distilled in 1990 at the Macallan Distillery and aged for 31 years in an ex-Bourbon cask, this single malt was then placed in a Japanese oak cask made of Mizunara, the oak grown for over 200 years in the pristine forests of Hokkaido. With only 100 bottles available, this is the third and final release in a highly sought after series comprising the 1989 Macallan Mizunara No. 2 (released in 2022 with Ephemerus Concepts) and 1988 Macallan Mizunara Edition No. 1 (released in 2019) both of which completely sold out.
To pay homage to this extraordinary liquid, East Asia Whisky Company worked closely in collaboration with the talented team of designers and craftspeople at Glencairn Crystal to design and create an exquisite, handcrafted decanter to bring the Japanese Komorebi concept to life. The complexity of the infilled engraving on each decanter took many hours to complete.
An intricate engraved silver oak blossom branch design wraps around the bottle with an elegant paint stroke running down the back on which appears translucent raised Kanji* reading ‘Macallan Mizunara Komorebi’. This delicate oak blossom design is also featured on the previous two decanters in the series, and with each release the branch grows and flourishes to reach around the bottle a little further each time.
The Macallan Mizunara 33-Year-Old 1990 Komorebi Edition will be launched via Bonhams Finest Whisky & Spirits online sale from 23rd September until 3rd October.
If any whisky lovers miss the opportunity to purchase at auction, this special bottling will also be available through select retailers from mid-October onwards. Price will be available upon application.
Macallan 33-Year-Old Origins:
In October, Ephemerus Concepts in conjunction with East Asia Whisky Company will also release a very special limited edition pair of 33-Year-Old Highland Single Malts distilled at The Macallan Distillery, paying homage to the history of the Macallan distillery and the barley used, as well as the journey the whisky went through in two casks of different origins. This duo is the unique outcome of single cask whiskies that began their journey with a single sherry cask, half of which underwent a separate finish in curated Hokkaido Mizunara for nearly two years.
This project marks the inauguration of a “study in oak” that allows the connoisseur to experience both the original liquid as it was intended to be enjoyed next to the Mizunara aged “twin” for the very first time in whisky history.
The two whiskies are presented in beautiful matching lead-free crystal decanters of the highest quality handcrafted by Glencairn Crystal. The lettering on the front of each bottle is hand engraved in gold while the beautifully engraved designs build the bridge between the Scottish origins and the Asian influence on this extraordinary liquid.
The original Sherry Cask expression bears an ornate Pictish* crescent with arrow engraving – a design that has been part of Scottish heritage since the ninth century, symbolising strength and valour as a representation of warrior culture, however it is also rumoured to have acted as a harvest calendar to grow grain. The Mizunara Cask expression bears a matching and equally ornate engraving of a broken Japanese fan with cherry blossoms growing out of it to symbolise transformation as a nod to the whisky undergoing a transformation as it ages in the Mizunara Oak. The fan also represents a warrior function as historically military leaders used fans to signal commands on the battlefield.
Macallan 33-Year-Old Origins will be launched as a set in a single leather-bound box by Bill Amberg Studio at Bonhams in late October.
Christian Leusder, East Asia Whisky Company Director, said: “The whisky spent years perfecting in these very rare casks. With such precious spirits it is vital that they are housed in decanters worthy of them. This is why our collaboration with Glencairn Crystal is so important – we have the same core values in terms of the simplicity of design, attention to detail, and the pursuit of perfection.”
Scott Davidson, Glencairn Crystal’s New Product Development Director said: “It has been a privilege to be a part of the journey of these incredible whiskies. The design and creation of these striking decanters has challenged our design team and craftspeople to push beyond their creative limits and the end products are beautiful pieces of art – something to be very proud of”.
East Asia Whisky Company is renowned for its rare and exceptional spirits and collaborating with some of the world’s most decorated distilleries and brands. This year will also see the release of The Spirit of Shangri-La – a collaboration with the world-renowned luxury hotel group and bottling of another fine and rare Macallan single malt, encased in a hand crafted and decorated Glencairn Crystal decanter. This will be available this autumn via the Singapore Shangri-La hotel bars.
For more information about Glencairn Crystal please visit: www.glencairn.co.uk and for further details about East Asia Whisky Company please visit www.eastasiawhisky.com
*Kanji are the logographic Chinese characters adapted from the Chinese script used in the writing of Japanese.
*The Picts were the descendants of native peoples of Scotland
About Glencairn Crystal:
Award-winning Glencairn Crystal has been at the cutting edge of high-quality decanter and glassware design, innovation, and creativity for four decades. Regarded internationally as one of the finest crystal decanter and glassware manufacturers, the family-run Scottish company has handcrafted prestigious decanters often for the rarest and most luxurious spirits ever released.
Glencairn Crystal also produce the Glencairn Glass for whisky. Officially launched in 2001, it is now the world’s favourite whisky glass with millions of glasses being sold each year across the world. www.glencairn.co.uk
About East Asia Whisky Company:
EAWC is an award-winning boutique Independent Bottler of fine Scotch and Japanese Whisky as well as Caribbean Rum. Founded in 2016, the company specialises in developing luxury spirits to the highest standards, providing tailored solutions, concepts and execution around cask aging, bottling, and packaging. www.eastasiawhisky.com
About Ephemerus Concepts:
Ephemerus Concepts is an independent bottler focusing on the creation of bespoke, one-of-a-kind experiences captured in crystal and oak. Founded out of Singapore in 2018, Ephemerus strives to push the boundaries of traditional whisky heritage without straying too far from the path of what is considered puristic. www.ephemerus-concepts.com
About Bill Amberg Studio:
Bill Amberg Studio has existed for over 30 years, and today stands as an industry leader in bespoke leather products, interiors and furniture. www.billamberg.com
