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Inside the launch for The Macallan’s Diamonds Are Forever single malt Scotch whisky
By: Mark Cerulli
Published:
2026-02-12
2026-02-12
To launch their new product, The Macallan held three nights of parties in a Bond-worthy location: a futuristic house up on Los Angeles’ fabled Mulholland Drive. Although the guest list was tightly controlled, From Sweden with Love did have an agent on the premises – The Ian Fleming Foundation board member and FSWL contributor Colin Clark. The IFF supplied two original props from the film – Blofeld’s escape sub and the Honda ATV which Sean Connery drove in the Nevada desert, part of the non-profit’s armada of 42 screen-used vehicles saved from the scrap heap or from disappearing into private collections. “We were really honored to do that,” Colin said about the IFF’s role at the event, adding that he was impressed by the VIP party where guests mingled in various Bond-themed rooms until the brand ambassador and key company executives made several speeches about The Macallan’s relationship to California and Bond.
The Ian Fleming Foundation board member Colin Clark with the Bath-O-Sub from Diamonds Are Forever. All rights reserved.
The Ian Fleming Foundation’s Honda ATV used during the filming of Diamonds Are Forever. All rights reserved.
This writer managed to infiltrate the party house the morning after the event when Colin oversaw a team of movers carefully wrapping the rare props, assisted by author/producer Bruce Scivally. (IFF member Len Johnson had supervised the load-in a few days previously.) It was a privilege to see the Bath-O-Sub and ATV up close and admire the meticulous restoration done after they were either sold or abandoned once production wrapped. The Bath-O-Sub is a marvel of Ken Adam’s brilliant mind and George Barris’ expert fabrication. (Barris also gave us iconic screen vehicles like the original Batmobile and The Munsters Koach.) The sub’s cream-colored interior was filled with switches, levers and a vintage 1970s computer console. You can almost hear Charles Gray screaming, “Not up, lower!”
Macallan filled the house with many Bondian touches – a photo backdrop with the iconic logo for arriving guests, a 007 gaming table and several bars displaying the rare Macallan Bond editions.
The Macallan display of their James Bond 60th Anniversary bottles. All rights reserved.
Up on the walls were prints of the distinctive Bond packaging and in the yard stood a recreation of the iconic “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. Clearly someone in the distillery’s leadership is a serious fan!
Mark Cerulli at The Macallan venue for their Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary launch. All rights reserved.
Diamonds are forever but so is high end Scotch whisky...
The real star of the show was, of course, the Diamonds Are Forever edition scotch. The distillers created it in a unique way – aging it for 18 years in hybrid sherry and red wine seasoned oak casks, which resulted in a unique flavor or as The Macallan describes it, “a glittering depth and character.” At $750 a bottle, there were no three finger pours, instead the hosts opted for a classy toast to their new vintage and the Bond film’s anniversary. Everyone got to try a sample and as Colin remembers, “It was very different and very special. I could taste the sherry and cocoa hints.” Now that sure sounds like a Diamond of a release!
The Macallan’s Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary release. All rights reserved.
Text and pictures by Mark Cerulli. Copyright © 2026 From Sweden with Love. All rights reserved.
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#diamonds_are_forever
#ian_fleming_foundation
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