Scotch whisky brand The Macallan has today unveiled the latest additions to its Harmony Collection, created in partnership with Mary and Stella McCartney. The new release is the third edition in the Harmony Collection and marks the first time the McCartney sisters, who are leading names in their fields of photography and fashion, have ever collaborated on a project.
The Harmony Collection debuted on the Macallan website this morning, but I was lucky enough to join a group for a special preview tasting at an event in Cannes last week.
The Harmony Collection is marked out by its efforts to combine the world of whisky with other fields, while also underlining The Macallan’s dedication to both craft and sustainability. The two previous Harmony editions have featured both cacao and coffee, with husks used to create packaging, and the flavours inspiring the liquids in The Macallan bottles.
For this third edition, the company is drawing on the McCartney sisters’ childhood memories of the Scottish countryside, as well as celebrating The Macallan’s own highland home. The two releases, Amber Meadow and Green Meadow, both feature boxes and labels which are made using discarded meadow cuttings. This recycled and recyclable packaging is adorned with images of The Macallan estate taken by Mary McCartney, as well as the sisters’ brand new logo.
Aboard the Edrington yacht in Cannes, we were shown the brand video, before being taken through a tasting of the new editions by Whisky Maker Steven Bremner. Reflecting on his creation, he says: “There is so much to discover with The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow. It is a single malt redolent of warm meadows and mature barley fields, with a rich, citrus scented 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.”
While both expressions are fantastic, as one would expect from The Macallan, for me the Green Meadow just pipped its sister to the post. The maturation in sherry-seasoned oak and bourbon casks gives both of them a rich and sweet aroma and flavour, but I found Green Meadow, with its fresh orange, primrose and petrichor aroma, barley and vanilla taste and creamy finish, a bit more satisfying. While the fuller-bodied – and undeniably excellent – Amber Meadow is a late evening sipping whisky, Green Meadow is fresher and lighter, and lends itself to a more gentle drinking experience.
Ironically, while Amber Meadow is now available online, Green Meadow is a travel retail exclusive and will hit stores in February next year.
While the tasting came accompanied by delicious morsels of fudge and shortbread, the show-stealing part of this new collection is actually the limited edition lifestyle collection which Stella and Mary McCartney have crafted to accompany the whisky.
Created in vibrant colours, using natural minerals, with brass effects, the 11-piece collection is only available as a set and on the domestic market. It includes a stunning ombre ceramic flask which is presented in an apple leather alternative sleeve, glass tumblers, water jug and ice bucket, ceramic coasters, brass ice stamps and an incredibly luxurious lambs wool blanket.
The whole collection, from lifestyle offer to whiskies, captures the sense of the freedom and luxury of the Scottish highlands, in a way which can be happily enjoyed in your front room.
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