The Macallan has ushered in two new additions to their Harmony Collection as part of the brand’s unique collaboration with Cirque du Soleil. Simultaneously celebrating The Macallan’s 200 Year Anniversary, the two additions are the Harmony Vibrant Oak and Harmony Guardian Oak. 

This is the fourth set of The Macallan's Harmony Collection and it celebrates the brand's rich history with oak. High quality sherry-seasoned oak casks are key to the quality and distinctive profile of The Macallan and according to the brand, each cask takes five years to craft and delivers 80 percent of the flavour in the whisky. 

The previous three Harmony Collection releases include a series of collaborations with various experts in their fields, including Spain’s Roca brothers as well as Stella and Mary McCartney.

“Oak plays such an important role in the colour and flavour of The Macallan and bringing it to life through our packaging is incredibly inspirational.
Vibrant Oak and Guardian Oak, provided an opportunity to select the casks that deliver the classic characteristics of our two key wood types, sherry seasoned American oak and sherry seasoned European oak casks, showcasing the differences these wood types deliver.”

– Diane Stuart, Whisky Maker at The Macallan

The releases are linked to The Macallan’s collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, which began with the debut of SPIRIT, a nature-inspired immersive experience. SPIRIT premiered earlier this year at The Macallan Estate in Speyside, telling the story of The Macallan’s rich history, Scottish culture and the Highlands. 

The packaging designs of both expressions are intended to highlight the connection between the natural world and human experience, under the theme of “in harmony with nature”.

The Vibrant Oak is available in domestic retail, while the latter is exclusively available in global travel retail.

Vibrant Oak has been matured in a combination of first fill American and second fill sherry seasoned oak casks. Bottled at 44.2% ABV, the whisky is said to have notes of vanilla, lime, sweet oak, apple and toasted almonds.

Official Tasting Notes

Colour

Autumnal Leaf

Nose

Intense vanilla bean accompanied by sweet sherbet and lime zest gives way to fragrant pears nestled in delicate vanilla sponge cake.

Palate

Creamy vanilla panna cotta, buttery shortbread, lightly toasted coconut with almond brittle, apple and sweet oak.

Finish

Medium, sweet with lingering vanilla.

The box the Harmony Collection Vibrant Oak comes in has been decked out in gold with an illustration of a character from SPIRIT, Ayla. The box is intertwined with the branches of an American oak tree, which is said to represents the whisky maturing in sherry seasoned American oak casks. The design also incorporates peacock feathers, which is said to highlight The Macallan's natural colour.

On the other hand, the Guardian Oak has been matured predominantly in a combination of first fill European and second fill sherry seasoned oak casks. Also bottled at 44.2% ABV, the whisky is said to have notes of dates, orange, rich oak, raisins and baking spices.

Official Tasting Notes

Nose

Rich dried fruits of dates, figs and raisins mingle with orange peel, dark chocolate and hints of warming nutmeg.

Palate

Sticky ginger syrup sweetness and a burst of orange lead to opulent glazed dates, cherries and plump sultanas alongside rich oak and sweet spices.

Finish

Long and rich with oak and star anise.

Colour 

Mature Acorn.

The box for this bottle has an illustration of Davonna – another key figure from
SPIRIT. It features the branches of a European oak tree, with the latter symbolising the whisky maturing in sherry seasoned European oak casks. The purples hues are said to embody Davonna's character, which also symbolises wisdom and maturity.

That's not all. Oak chippings - a by-product created while making oak casks for The Macallan - were also employed in the construction of both boxes and bottle labels.

The Harmony Vibrant Oak is available to purchase from The Macallan House at Raffles Hotel, availability and price to be confirmed. The Harmony Guardian Oak is currently only available at Travel Retail.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team