{"product_id":"the-macallan-james-bond-55th-anniversary-diamonds-are-forever-single-malt-scotch-whisky","title":"THE MACALLAN James Bond 55th Anniversary 'Diamonds are Forever'","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release is an ultra-limited, 18-year-old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky that marks a radical, historic departure from the distillery’s traditional liquid profile. Launched as a single-year vintage distilled in 2007—a playful nod to Agent 007—this expression was crafted by Lead Whisky Maker Russell Greig to challenge the conventions of Macallan's standard releases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe core differentiator lies entirely in the restructuring of the wood program, introducing an inventive \"duplicity\" to the distillate that mirrors the twists of the 1971 James Bond film. While the standard 18-year-old relies solely on uniform European oak barrels seasoned with Oloroso sherry, the Diamonds Are Forever expression utilizes custom-built hybrid casks featuring alternating individual staves of European and American oak. Breaking further from tradition, it incorporates American oak casks previously seasoned with red wine—a historic first for a Macallan Bond collaboration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis unique wood configuration completely transforms the flavor profile, steering it away from the heavy raisins, dark plums, and drying ginger spices characteristic of the standard 18-year-old. The American oak staves inject a hyper-creamy texture driven by vanilla bean, buttery caramel, and soft coconut that rounds out the sharper, drying wood tannins. Meanwhile, the red wine seasoning imparts a bright, jammy red berry sweetness—evoking strawberries and fresh raspberries—that is entirely absent from the core flagship line. Bottled at a punchier, texturally dense 45.5% ABV (91 proof) to mirror the 55th anniversary, the increased strength coaxes out vibrant, zesty top notes of fresh citrus and sherbet before settling into rich, decadent layers of cocoa-dusted champagne truffles, espresso, and baked apple tart.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Continental Wine \u0026 Spirits","offers":[{"title":"700mL","offer_id":51672125407520,"sku":"81206602583","price":799.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0903\/8725\/1488\/files\/20260518_154816.jpg?v=1779134024","url":"https:\/\/www.continentalws.com\/products\/the-macallan-james-bond-55th-anniversary-diamonds-are-forever-single-malt-scotch-whisky","provider":"Continental Wine \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}