Singular experiences are what makes Las Vegas such a sought-after destination, and Aria adds to that tradition by introducing The Macallan pop-up inside Lobby Bar. Through December, guests are invited to the lounge to celebrate The Macallan’s 200-year anniversary by indulging in a curated menu filled with specialty cocktails, flights and exclusive pours of one of the world’s most-coveted single malt Scotch whiskies.
“Aria is renowned for collaborating with world-class partners that bring one-of-a-kind events to Las Vegas,” says Jonathan Baker, Aria director of beverage. “The Macallan is highly regarded globally for their outstanding portfolio of high-end whiskies, and we wanted to celebrate their 200-year anniversary by partnering to deliver an exclusive tasting opportunity not available anywhere else in the country.”
Lobby Bar has been completely reimagined and redecorated in deep red hues and upscale, natural furnishings to reflect The Macallan brand. Showcase boxes are filled with special-edition The Macallan bottles, and up at the bar area, guests can feast their eyes on a huge selection of The Macallan offerings from limited-edition and never-before-seen bottles to rare, extremely hard-to-find bottles and specific bottles from the estate that are no longer made or available for purchase.
Retrograde Photo by: Christopher DeVargas
Specialty cocktails use a variety of The Macallan bottles, for those that prefer to enjoy the spirit married with other flavors. Start with the Further Sky, a take on the traditional whiskey highball, that mixes The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old with pear eau de vie fruit liqueur, honey, soda and plum bitters. “It is a classic drink that is smoky, yet not overpowering, as it is diluted by the soda and plum bitters,” Baker says. “The first sip will have a strong Scotch flavor, but then mellows out as a result of the soda and other ingredients.”
A personal favorite of this writer, who prefers a spirit much more in a cocktail, is the Sun Sign. With a sweet twist, it mixes The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old with crème de mûre blackberry liqueur, lemon, black tea and sweet cinnamon. “Sun Sign was designed for the guest that doesn’t love Scotch but enjoys the spirit in a cocktail format,” Baker says. “The beverage is on the sweeter side and offers a beautifully well-rounded combination of lemon, soft cinnamon spice and black tea notes for a refreshing taste.”
Baker’s favorite on the menu is Retrograde, a mix of The Macallan TIME : SPACE Mastery Collection, Oloroso sherry, banana, crème de cacao, amaro and mole bitters. “We united Macallan’s TIME : SPACE Mastery limited 200 anniversary bottling with bitters and amaro, which we are seeing as a big trend in the cocktail world right now,” he says. “From the stunning Lalique tumbler the cocktail is served in to the impeccable taste, Retrograde pays homage to Macallan and their legendary brand.”
For drinkers who like their spirits straight, The Macallan offerings are abundant and can be enjoyed in single pours and 1-ounce flights. Just a snapshot of the selections include The Macallan Sherry Oak: 12, 18, 25 and 30 year; The Macallan Double Cask: 12, 15, 18 and 30 year; The Macallan Rare Cask 2024; The Macallan Harmony Collection; The Macallan Reflexion; The Macallan M Collection; and The Macallan Red Collection: 40, 50, 77 and 78 year.
“The flavors of The Macallan selections complement the season and offer a heating effect to warm the body when the temperature cools down,” Baker says. “The whiskey can be enjoyed by itself or mixed into a cocktail—I invite you to come by Lobby Bar to see what suits you!”
Insider’s Tip:
Exclusive to Aria, enjoy pours from The Macallan’s TIME : SPACE Mastery Collection. Within the collection is a special vintage, bottled 84 years ago, making it the oldest spirit ever released by The Macallan. This bottle is the only on-premise bottle available to the public in the country, and Aria offers customers the opportunity to experience it at $17,500 per dram. The bottle is exclusively available at Aria's Lobby Bar and is presented with white-glove service. Poured alongside an ounce of this vintage is a 2018, 5-Year The Macallan’s TIME : SPACE Scotch whiskey so guests can taste the difference in the youthfulness of the one and the maturity in the other.
Aria, 702.590.7111. aria.mgmresorts.com
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