The latest release in The Macallan’s Harmony Collection is inspired by the Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean. – Photos: The Macallan
Coffee is usually not the first thing that comes to mind when you pop open a bottle of Scotch single malt whisky. Simply put, it’s not one of the usual flavour profiles or tasting notes you would expect from a Scotch.
That is, until you taste the latest release from luxury whisky makers The Macallan’s Harmony Collection, which draws inspiration from the world of coffee.
The Harmony Collection is a limited annual release series that explores The Macallan’s future packaging journey, with each release featuring distinctive packaging that incorporates organic by-products and gives them new life.
The first whiskies in the series were last year’s Rich Cacao and Fine Cacao, released earlier this year, both of which were inspired by chocolate. For its second edition, however, The Macallan has drawn inspiration from the world of coffee, with two unique expressions – The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired By Intense Arabica and the travel-retail only The Macallan Harmony Collection Smooth Arabica, both of which were inspired by the Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean.
In line with the coffee theme, both new expressions are presented in beautifully crafted presentation boxes which incorporate repurposed coffee bean husks, a by-product in the coffee-making process. Paper expert Michele Posocco from Italian paper mill Favini worked with The Macallan to create the innovative packaging.
The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner.
In order to create these whiskies, The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner immersed himself in the art of coffee by hosting a masterclass with world renowned coffee experts at The Macallan Estate, where he explored the incredible journey of coffee from field to cup, uncovering the unique process and distinct flavour profiles at each stage.
Among the coffee masters who shared their knowledge with Steven were Ethiopian coffee grower Kenean Asefa Dukamo, whose family works with the Arabica variety showcased by the whiskies; Scottish coffee roaster Lisa Lawson, a pioneer of speciality coffee in Scotland; and award-winning American barista Andrea Allen.
UK-based coffee artist Dhan Tamang crafted a range of coffee art, and shared his knowledge on the art of the perfect coffee serve and sensory perceptions, while leading coffee historian Professor Jonathan Morris provided an insight into the roots of coffee and how it became the global phenomenon it is today.
Bremner immersed himself in the art of coffee by hosting a masterclass with world renowned coffee experts at The Macallan Estate.
“There are many parallels between the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee,” Bremner said in a press release. “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 Intense Arabica, Bremner selected a harmonious combination of whiskies from American and European oak casks to achieve a tasting profile that is reminiscent of a sweet yet strong espresso coffee and has a higher ABV of 44%.
“To create the Intense Arabica, 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,” Bremner explained.
“There are many parallels between the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee,” Bremner said.
The result is a whisky with a beautiful nose of tiramisu, cappuccino, gingerbread, raisins, almonds, sweet oak and vanilla. On the palate, the coffee notes really come through, with espresso and dark chocolates at the fore, followed by more of that tiramisu, as well as blackberry, vanilla, Brazil nut and sweet oak.
To create the Intense Arabica, Bremner selected a harmonious combination of whiskies from American and European oak casks to achieve a tasting profile that is reminiscent of a sweet yet strong espresso coffee.It then finishes with dark roast coffee flavours, a long, lingering sensation that evokes the feeling of having that first cup of coffee in the morning.
Bremner added that both expressions are paired with two different variations of Ethiopian coffee, which accentuate the unique tasting notes within the whisky when enjoyed side by side.
But don’t just take our word for it. Malaysian whisky lovers can taste the Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica for themselves at the “It's Coffee Time at The Macallan in Kuala Lumpur” event from 17 to 19 Feb (10am-7pm) at The Bookmark, APW Bangsar.
At the event, guests will go through a one-hour experience in which they will receive an experiential kit that consists of a dram of Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica, popcorn, and a cup of coffee.
To book a slot at the event, guests have to register online at this link: It's Coffee Time At The Macallan In Malaysia.
For more information on the Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica, visit The Macallan website.
