The Macallan to Break Tradition for Upcoming James Bond Whisky Release

Sunday, 24 August 2025 at 10:02TTB Database

The Macallan James Bond Diamonds Are FOrever 55th Anniversary Single Malt whisky

The Macallan has already released a fair number of bottles themed around James Bond. However, there's still room for more. A just discovered label unveils a Diamonds are Forever 55 Year Anniversary whisky as a first-of-its-kind.

FAQ

What is this new Macallan release?
A 18-year-old single malt, distilled in 2007 (007, of course) and matured in red wine barrels and sherry seasoned oak casks.

Why is this special?
It's the first time ever that The Macallan has officially used red wine barrels for maturation. This makes this whiskey the first of its kind in the distillery's history.

What is the link with James Bond?
The release celebrates the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever (1971), the movie where Sean Connery reprised his role as 007. The distillation year (2007) symbolizes “007”.

Diamonds are Forever in liquid form

The James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever is soon celebrating its 55th anniversary. A new whisky label suggests that The Macallan has something special in store for this occasion.

The distillery is reportedly bottling a special single malt whisky for the anniversary of the Sean Connery film. The release is not only a brand-new The Macallan in the Bond collection but also a first for the distillery: the first The Macallan from red wine barrels.

What is The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release?

According to the label, the whisky was distilled in 2007, a direct reference to James Bond, aka 007. The spirit was matured in red wine and sherry seasoned oak casks after distillation.

The whisky is bottled at 18 years of age. It's bottled at 45.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), slightly stronger than the average Macallan whisky.

With the maturing in wine barrels, the single malt whisky represents a first for The Macallan. There were never any official bottlings of The Macallan before that have matured in red wine barrels. The distillery is also known for its sherry casks sourced from Jerez.

When does The Macallan James Bond whisky come out?

Typically, a label does not indicate a release date and this is also the case here. However, there's a good hint for when the whisky might be released. The release date of the James Bond Diamonds are Forever movie was December 17, 1971.

Given this whisky is for the 55th anniversary of the film, you can easily calculate when the release should approximately be: December 17, 2026. Whether this will actually be the date we can enjoy the whisky is unknown.