A Night On Earth (In Scotland) is the new, limited edition expression from The Macallan, released in time for Christmas and the new year. The Macallan announced last year that it would be unveiling a series of annual, limited edition gifting expressions, and this is actually the second edition of A Night On Earth, after last year’s well-received 2021 release. The suffix, “In Scotland” is added towards the bottom of the label in a smaller and lighter font, giving context to the whisky’s name and philosophy.
Macallan’s A Night On Earth essentially celebrates Hogmanay – the Scottish tradition of saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming in the new year. Aye, it’s effectively the Scottish take on what the rest of the world calls New Year’s Eve. Traditionally, one of the key aspects of Hogmanay is the first-footing – being the first person after midnight to cross the threshold (i.e. enter the house) of a friend or neighbour and present them with one or more gifts. Traditionally, this would have been coal, shortbread, salt, or whisky, and was intended to bring good luck to the householder for the year ahead. The host reciprocates by providing some food and drink which are then enjoyed together, and the festivities can continue well into wee hours of the morning (and the late hours, for that matter) with people knocking on doors to be the first-footer!
No accident, then, that A Night On Earth is timed as we approach the gift-giving season! The whisky comes in impressive packaging that is a bit reminiscent of unpacking Russian dolls as you encounter layer under layer.