A veneration for the natural world serves as the inspiration for The Macallan Harmony Collection, which uses innovative techniques to give natural materials at the end of their lifecycle a renewed purpose. Harmony I saw the brand partner with Jordi Roca to bring the worlds of chocolate and whisky to life in Casa Cacao, a hotel and chocolate factory in central Girona, Spain. Meanwhile, Harmony II celebrated the sensorial appeal of coffee with two distinct whiskies with a coffee note running through them.
This year, The Macallan has partnered with Stella and Mary McCartney on Harmony III, with the release celebrating the lush, verdant lands of Scotland that have been instrumental in the brand’s success as well as brought boundless joy to those who have had the pleasure of experiencing it.
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Marking the first time the McCartney sisters, fashion designer Stella and photographer Mary, have collaborated on a creative project, Harmony III sees them reminisce and celebrate their memories of Scotland. The collaboration sees the duo flex their creative prowess, with both sisters devising an accompanying 11-piece lifestyle collection comprising handmade glassware tinted with natural minerals, apple leather flask coverings, and traditional two-tone ceramic flasks and bowls.
“This range wouldn’t be what it is if we weren’t able to spend that time with The Macallan,” said Mary McCartney, who has previously collaborated with the brand. “I felt really proud to bring my little sister with me to The Macallan Estate on Speyside, as I knew Stella would fall in love with this just as much as I did. We feel really lucky to be launching our first collaboration and making this range of pieces with The Macallan.”
As for the drams on offer, there are two releases in the Harmony III collection; Amber Meadow and Green Meadow. Both tipples are finished in a combination of sherry seasoned oak and bourbon casks, with the former drawing inspiration from natural Scottish grasslands, evoking warm meadows and mature barley fields through notes of lemon, vanilla, barley, and honeysuckle with a rich, citrusy finish.
“The 100% natural summer evening colour derived from our exceptional sherry seasoned oak and bourbon casks reflects the richness of the flavour which awaits,” said Steven Bremner, whisky maker at The Macallan, of Amber Meadow. “On the nose fresh citrus fruits and honeysuckle are complemented by hints of vanilla, coconut and ripe barley fields. On tasting, notes of oak, lemon, melon are prominent, accompanied by flavours of classic scone and almond with green tea, before giving way to a rich and sweet long finish.”
Meanwhile, Green Meadow looks to the wild meadows of the land, with a nose of wild primrose after the rain and a palate of lemon, barley sugars, creamy vanilla, almonds, and fresh oak with a long, creamy finish.
The Macallan Harmony III collection is available in strictly limited quantities from select beverage retailers as well as in The Macallan airport boutiques around the world.
Words by Henry Blake
