The Macallan has revealed details of the second edition in its Harmony Collection of limited annual releases.
Launched in 2021, the releases in the series embrace the concept of harmony with nature through their packaging, which incorporates organic by-products that would otherwise go to waste.
The new single malt whiskies – The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica, for domestic markets, and Smooth Arabica, for global travel retail – celebrate the world of coffee. Their hybrid packaging was created using repurposed and recycled materials including discarded coffee bean husks.
To create the new releases (which are designed to pair with coffee), The Macallan whisky maker Steven Bremner hosted a masterclass with coffee experts at The Macallan Estate to explore the coffee-making process and learn more about the beans' flavour profiles. The experts included Ethiopian coffee grower Kenean Asefa Dukamo, Scottish coffee roaster Lisa Lawson, and American barista Andrea Allen.
The new expressions follow the Harmony Collection's first releases, Rich Cacao and Fine Cacao, which celebrated the world of chocolate.
Drawing inspiration from the Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean, Bremner selected a combination of American and European oak casks to achieve the desired flavours in the new expressions.
Bremner said: “Exploring the world of coffee with our masters in the industry, who shared their knowledge, creativity, and love for their art, was both an education and an inspiration. There are many parallels between the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee. Each requires unique skills and craftsmanship to achieve depth and complexity of taste and both worlds aim to deliver an extraordinary consumption experience.
“To create the coffee-inspired second edition of The Harmony Collection, I sought out intense notes in The Macallan’s traditional sherry-seasoned European oak casks that would offer the rich and satisfying elements of coffee, with the influence of sherry-seasoned American oak casks adding sweeter and softer vanilla notes for a balanced and rounded experience.
“Each expression has been paired with two different variations of Ethiopian coffee, which accentuate the unique tasting notes within the whisky when enjoyed side by side, creating a new sensorial experience of The Macallan.”
The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica (44% ABV) and Smooth Arabica (40%) have an RRSP of US$185/GB£140/€165. Inspired by Intense Arabica will be available at The Macallan Estate Bar, The Macallan Online Boutique and in premium retailers, bars and restaurants around the world from October 2022. Smooth Arabica will be available in The Macallan Airport Boutiques, key airports around the world and China Hainan Island duty-free shops from November 2022.
Launched in 2021, the releases in the series embrace the concept of harmony with nature through their packaging, which incorporates organic by-products that would otherwise go to waste.
The new single malt whiskies – The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica, for domestic markets, and Smooth Arabica, for global travel retail – celebrate the world of coffee. Their hybrid packaging was created using repurposed and recycled materials including discarded coffee bean husks.
To create the new releases (which are designed to pair with coffee), The Macallan whisky maker Steven Bremner hosted a masterclass with coffee experts at The Macallan Estate to explore the coffee-making process and learn more about the beans' flavour profiles. The experts included Ethiopian coffee grower Kenean Asefa Dukamo, Scottish coffee roaster Lisa Lawson, and American barista Andrea Allen.
The new expressions follow the Harmony Collection's first releases, Rich Cacao and Fine Cacao, which celebrated the world of chocolate.
Drawing inspiration from the Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean, Bremner selected a combination of American and European oak casks to achieve the desired flavours in the new expressions.
Bremner said: “Exploring the world of coffee with our masters in the industry, who shared their knowledge, creativity, and love for their art, was both an education and an inspiration. There are many parallels between the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee. Each requires unique skills and craftsmanship to achieve depth and complexity of taste and both worlds aim to deliver an extraordinary consumption experience.
“To create the coffee-inspired second edition of The Harmony Collection, I sought out intense notes in The Macallan’s traditional sherry-seasoned European oak casks that would offer the rich and satisfying elements of coffee, with the influence of sherry-seasoned American oak casks adding sweeter and softer vanilla notes for a balanced and rounded experience.
“Each expression has been paired with two different variations of Ethiopian coffee, which accentuate the unique tasting notes within the whisky when enjoyed side by side, creating a new sensorial experience of The Macallan.”
The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica (44% ABV) and Smooth Arabica (40%) have an RRSP of US$185/GB£140/€165. Inspired by Intense Arabica will be available at The Macallan Estate Bar, The Macallan Online Boutique and in premium retailers, bars and restaurants around the world from October 2022. Smooth Arabica will be available in The Macallan Airport Boutiques, key airports around the world and China Hainan Island duty-free shops from November 2022.
