Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/5037
D oes Ken Grier have the greatest job in Scotch? Not only is he Malts Direc- tor for Highland Distillers, which means he looks after The Macallan—top of many whisky mavens' all-time lists—but in the pursuit of luxury he hangs out with supermodel Heidi Klum, author Gore Vidal and actor Jesse Spencer (House's Dr. Robert Chase). It's all part of a strategy that posi- tions The Macallan as a luxury drinks icon. Over the past year, Grier has been working with top international pho- tographer Rankin, developing a third bottle in the partnership with Lalique (a 57 year old whisky at a mere $15,000 a bottle) and hosting international celebri- ties at The Macallan's Speyside home, Easter Elchies House. Recent visitors include Spencer and Vidal. In L.A., Grier has bonded with Holly Valance, Lisa Edelstein, Joel McHale and Scottish rock- ers Franz Ferdinand—all Macallan lovers, apparently. So I caught up with him to find out what's new and glamorous in Scotch. After all, he should know. And it turns out the hot new thing is very cold. Ice, in fact. Now you wouldn't think there is anything new to be done with ice, but the boys at The Macal- lan have done it. The Macallan ice ball maker turns the hum- drum business of ice into pure bar theater, transforming the serve of a high-end Scotch into a mini-drama that's almost as fun to watch as the drink is to savor. Inspired by the Japanese cocktail tradition of serving artisanal, hand- carved ice balls, the device creates, as you've probably guessed by now, a completely spherical ice ball. Due to its volume and ex- pansive surface area, the ice ball melts very slowly, preserving the integrity of the spirit, and ensuring that its fine flavors remain intact while cooling the serve. And making the lucky recipient look pretty chilled into the bargain. The Macallan ice ball maker is now in use at Dylan Prime in Tribeca, at Dallas' Abacus restaurant, at The Viceroy in Santa Monica and at Old March in West Palm Beach. A demonstration video is also available on YouTube. To obtain one of the devices for your bar or restaurant, contact your Macal- lan sales rep. Highland Distillers Malt Director Ken Grier hobnobs with super- model Heidi Klum. Scotch Report Ice Device 26 / the tasting panel / december 2009 The Macallan's ice ball maker creates a perfectly spherical ball of ice that melts slowly. The Macallan's ice ball maker enables the perfectly chilled serve by Ian Buxton