Inside The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Launch: A Star-Studded, James Bond-Inspired Hollywood Night
- By: Ani Gutierrez | Photos: The Macallan x The Hollywood Reporter
James Bond’s cinematic legacy collided with Hollywood’s most connected creatives and on-screen regulars on Tuesday night, as The Macallan and The Hollywood Reporter hosted an exclusive evening in the hills for The Macallan’s Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release. Drawing a crowd filled with some of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces, including James Marsden, Lamorne Morris, Joel McHale, Manny Jacinto, Nicholas Duvernay, François Arnaud, and Gavin Leatherwood, alongside an intimate performance by FINNEAS, it was already clear this wasn’t going to be just another low-key brand launch.
Designed to honor 007’s enduring influence, the evening transformed The Macallan Villa into a sleek, modern-day spy fantasy. Every corner of the villa was an immersive playground of hidden rooms, rare artifacts, and cinematic nods to the Bond universe. Softly lit displays of The Macallan’s signature bottles set the tone with intriguing luxury and effortless glamor.
Between pours of The Macallan’s signature expressions, guests spotted mingling throughout the evening included Drew Tarver, Catherine Missal, Katherine Hughes, Branden Cook, and Scott MacArthur, alongside creatives, executives, and cultural insiders who know the real power moves happen far from the red carpets.
Then came the evening’s most anticipated moment.
Fresh off his Song of the Year Grammy win, FINNEAS stepped into the spotlight for a stripped-back performance that easily became the night’s centerpiece. With no elaborate production between him and the audience, he moved through his songs, For Crying Out Loud!, Little Window, and Palomino, delivering a set that felt personal, emotional, and just right for the villa’s atmosphere.
At the center of it all was The Macallan Diamonds Are Forever 55th Anniversary Release, created to mark 55 years since the 1971 Bond classic first hit theaters. Inspired by the movie’s sophisticated essence and jet-set spirit, the limited-edition whisky blends The Macallan’s signature sherry-seasoned oak with subtle red-wine cask influence, serving as a stylish nod to both cinematic history and The Macallan’s craftsmanship. More than a commemorative bottle, it’s a celebration of legacy and storytelling, the same elements that shaped the evening’s mood from start to finish.
In true Bond fashion, this launch seamlessly balanced elegance with edge, and exclusivity with ease. Shaken with style, and stirred with intention, just the way 007 would want it.
