The Macallan sets sail on a new chapter in luxury whisky with the global debut of Carta Nautica 20 Years Old at Singapore Changi Airport.
In collaboration with Lotte Duty Free, The Macallan has chosen Singapore as the first destination for its latest travel-retail expression, transforming Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 into the stage for an immersive introduction to the new single malt. Inspired by carta nautica, the historic Italian expression for a nautical map, the release draws on the remarkable journey of The Macallan’s oak from the forests of North America and the cooperages that shape its barrels to the sherry bodegas of Jerez de la Frontera and, ultimately, the distillery’s home in Speyside, Scotland.
Running from 28 September through 22 November 2026, the Terminal 3 Departure Transit experience transports travelers into an imagined maritime world, where mythical figures including Thallasia and Allasia accompany the story of the whisky. At its center are flowing sculptural installations created with American artist Amy Genser, whose intricate rolled-paper works suggest coral reefs, shifting currents and underwater landscapes. Visitors can discover Carta Nautica through bespoke gifting experiences, personalized packaging and a Singapore-exclusive Merlion bottle stopper, adding a distinctly local touch to the global launch.
Created under the guidance of Senior Whisky Maker Diane Stuart, Carta Nautica 20 Years Old takes an unconventional approach to maturation. The whisky begins its journey in sherry-seasoned oak before moving into American bourbon casks for a second maturation reversing the more familiar sequence traditionally associated with Scotch whisky. Bottled at 42% ABV and presented in its natural color, the expression brings together the depth of European oak with the brighter sweetness of American oak. Its profile unfolds through orange peel, ripe mango and charred pineapple, followed by layers of caramel, toasted oak spice and chocolate orange.
For collectors and travelers seeking something beyond the ordinary, Carta Nautica 20 Years Old offers a whisky experience shaped as much by its journey as by the liquid itself. The Singapore Changi Airport exclusive runs through 18 October 2026, ahead of a broader international travel-retail release beginning 19 October at select airport boutiques and destinations worldwide.
