Fine Dining Distille

Featured in the Michelin Guide, TimeSpirit at The Macallan distillery offers a tasting experience package that takes a global culinary tour

- JOANNA BREMNER

I'M on a £250 Mastery Experience Tour at The Macallan distillery in Aberlour, and the tour ends with a tasting menu at the new restaurant TimeSpirit, from the brothers behind the three-Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Spain.

The restaurant recently earned a spot on the Michelin Guide, and from the moment we enter the room, the décor is striking.

The white walls behind the shelves of wine intentionally mimic the white chalky earth where the grapes are grown.

The six-course lunch menu is £60 per person, while the dinner menu costs £95 per person. Paired wines cost an additional £55, while a whisky pairing is £65.

It’s dark by the time we make our way through the restaurant. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer a view out into the dark countryside beyond. This would be even more beautiful in daylight, I’m sure.

The kitchen stands in the centre of the room, offering diners a view of their dishes being expertly crafted. A lovely touch.

The first course is the “Distil your world appetisers”, and we all gasp as this is set down in front of us. Served on a golden globe instead of a plate, the appetisers each depict the world of distillation.

Scotland is represented by a vegetarian haggis. The plump, doughy parcel is bursting with spice and paired with a tangy spiced mayonnaise.

Jerez in Spain, known for its sherry, offers cured mackerel — topped with caviar — which is delicious, too. Mexico City is a tangy taco, topped with radish and mango salad. This is a creamy, flavourful bite, and the punch of lime really comes through.