Macallan Concept No.3 Carson David (2020) 70cl

Each single malt within the collection is exclusively designed to create an extraordinary taste experience. Concept No. 3 delights with notes of pear, cinnamon and vanilla. The whisky colour is California Gold, inspired by Carson’s roots, and the ABV is 40.8% as it was the optimum strength for flavour and aroma, as well eight as being both Polly and David’s favourite number.

To bring his unique perspective to the design of Concept No. 3, David visited The Macallan’s 485-acre Estate in Scotland’s Speyside where he spent time with The Macallan Whisky Maker Polly Logan.

They discovered that a remarkable number of similarities define their approach to their respective crafts. Both are driven to revisit and evolve their work, creating greater depth by ensuring every element in their creations has a distinct purpose.

As a result, his unique, handmade collage designs for Concept No. 3 feature some very special touches to celebrate their shared outlook and methodology – including the incorporation of the letter P for Polly. Many of the colours used are also those found at The Macallan Estate on Scotland’s Speyside, with blue representing the River Spey and red reflecting The Macallan’s sherry-seasoned oak casks.

Polly, in turn, has drawn influence from David’s character and career when crafting Concept No. 3, to create an unusually fresh whisky, with a distinctive warm, golden hue that pays tribute to the graphic designer’s years on the USA’s West Coast.

The ABV was developed specifically to be 40.8%, after the pair realised that eight is their favourite number.

David said: ‘In some of The Macallan work, I very noticeably got into what I call “my zone”, where I was just clicking. It was all coming together so I’m not aware of time, or even where I am.

‘The Macallan people I’ve dealt with have been so open to exploring new ideas and to different types of creativity. Their obvious love for nature and where they work, the hand-doneness and the wooden casks – you have so much of that with The Macallan collaboration and I am very proud of it.’

The Macallan whisky maker Polly Logan said: ‘It’s been an absolute joy to work with David Carson on the creation of Concept No. 3. I was deeply inspired by his vibrancy, and drew on this to create a bright, fresh whisky.

‘Its pale yellow colour, which we’ve named Californian Gold, reflects David’s sun-soaked days as a surfer and it also reveals the citrus notes which shine through.

40.8% ABV

70cl