The Macallan partners with Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley to launch a first-of-its-kind whisky experience in Australia

The Macallan partners with Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley to launch a first-of-its-kind whisky experience in Australia
Edited by Travel Weekly


When the invitation came in, to fly by helicopter to Wolgan Valley for lunch and the opening of The Macallan whisky experience, it took me all of 0.001 seconds to say yes.

Enjoying a pristine bush location beneath dramatic sandstone escarpments, the resort features world-class cuisine, a plush and cosy central lodge with outdoor pool, 40 super comfortable guest villas featuring indoor pools, plus a pampering Spa offering a range of treatments. There’s also plenty of outdoor experiences and activities on offer from horse riding, bushwalking and mountain biking to tennis, archery and stargazing, the list goes on.

So, the question is, how can you improve this hotel?

Of course, by adding a dedicated whisky room offering a bespoke, sensorial whisky experience.

Enter ‘The Macallan’, makers of incomparable Scotch whisky since 1824. As one of the world’s most prestigious producers of single malt whisky The Macallan have been creating liquid magic on the banks of the river Spey in north-eastern Scotland in for 199 years.

Guests of the resort will experience The Macallan story through a sensorial journey, exploring the extraordinary legacy and expertise of the world’s most incomparable Single Malt Scotch whisky.

Whisky connoisseurs and novices alike will have the chance to immerse themselves in the world of The Macallan while tasting some of the finest single malts available. I started as a novice and have a newfound appreciation for how special single malt whisky can be.

The Macallan room offering includes limited editions, new releases, rare expressions, and archival products from the resort’s exclusive ‘vault’, including the celebrated M Decanter. Guests staying at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley can enjoy the following The Macallan experiences:

The Macallan Serves

Resort guests can soak in majestic valley vistas whilst savouring cocktails designed exclusively to elevate the enjoyment of The Macallan’s renowned single malts. This selection proudly incorporates unique elements of Wolgan Valley such as handpicked lemon-scented tea tree.

The Macallan Flights

Guests can enjoy either a self-guided flight of carefully selected whiskies that showcase The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks, or The Macallan Prestige Flight features a range of new releases, limited editions, and archival products from the resort’s exclusive ‘vault’ that promises a journey of discovery and intrigue.

The Wolgan Valley (Supplied)

The Macallan 5-course Whisky Pairing Dinner

A seasonal dinner menu designed by the resort’s Executive Sous Chef Pitam Gurung, designed specifically to pair with The Macallan’s exceptional serves. This one-of-a-kind menu features seasonal produce grown in the Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley chef’s garden, foraged from the reserve and sourced from the best of the region’s speciality farmers and producers. Resort guests can enjoy this exclusive menu in the Wolgan Dining Room overlooking glorious Wolgan Valley views.

Over a superb lunch with a matching whisky flight, we were treated to a fascinating talk about the brand’s history including the six pillars that guide production and make it so unique.

Given the helicopters and glamourous location I felt like I’d stumbled onto the set of a James Bond movie. Could there a James Bond 007 connection here? We are talking about The Macallan, so yes of course there is!

The Macallan has a long association with the James Bond franchise and has been enjoyed in several films including Skyfall and Spectre. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the James Bond in 2022, The Macallan created the ‘James Bond 007 – The Macallan 60th Anniversary’ release and pleasingly we got to taste that as well.

Continuing on the 007 theme, The Macallan opened a new distillery in Speyside in 2018 and it is a breathtaking piece of architecture worthy of a baddies lair from a James Bond movie. The roof alone which is topped by a grass layer has 1800 single timber beams and over 380,000 individual components making it one of the most complicated timber

structures in the world. Located about one hour by car from Inverness they offer a distillery experience and have a brasserie and bar onsite, so be sure to include a visit in your future Scottish travel plans.

The Macallan Experience (Supplied)

In other celebrity news, Charles Darwin visited Wolgan Valley in 1836. It is not known if he enjoyed a whisky while he was there however, I’m pretty sure he would have appreciated the roaring fire, comfy sofas and whisky flights in The Macallan room.

Charles Darwin had to walk or ride on horseback for several days to reach Wolgan Valley. Today it’s three hours by car from Sydney or 40 mins by helicopter. I don’t know if Charles Darwin would have approved of the 007 style chopper ride home, but I certainly did.

Matthew Melhuish visited as a guest of The Macallan and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley.

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]