Once again, harmony finds new expression in The Macallan’s eternal dialogue with nature. The Macallan Harmony collection, now into its fifth arc, invites all to journey into the contemplative world of tea where patience, precision and quiet artistry converge. With a thoughtful collaboration with JING, purveyors of rare single garden teas, The Macallan draws inspiration from JING’s methods that steep in time and tradition, much like its own whiskies.
While the associations between two worlds are not immediately apparent, and neither are tea leaves used in the actual whisky making process, The Macallan and JING find harmony through their principles and beliefs. From the careful tend of each tea bush to the meticulous sherry cask seasoning, both crafts are rooted in place and purpose, where the unyielding dedication to craft is paramount in both pursuits. The cultivation of tea and maturation of whisky share a reverence for nature’s subtleties where earth, air, water, wood and fire intertwine. Both acts are of quiet transformation guided by the hands of the generations of makers but ultimately cradled by time, nature’s rhythm that carefully nurtures the depths of flavour each harvest and cask holds.
“Our collaboration with JING is a celebration of the parallels between whisky and tea — two crafts that are deeply rooted in nature, tradition and time. Working with JING has allowed us to explore new dimensions of flavour and storytelling, creating two whiskies that are both innovative and deeply connected to the land,” shares Jaume Ferras, The Macallan’s creative director.
Melanie Tricklebank, CEO of JING, echoes the same sentiment: “At JING, we’re inspired by the unique terroir and craftsmanship behind every tea origin. It’s a pleasure to collaborate with such an incredible brand and to see The Macallan draw inspiration from the distinctive quality and craft of the tea producer partners who inspire our mission to change the perception of what tea can be. The collaboration with The Macallan is a true meeting of minds and traditions.”
As part of this release, the whisky makers present two expressions that mimic the hidden complexities of tea as they steep and unfurl their aromas and flavour. The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea pays tribute to the rare and elegant Phoenix Honey Orchid oolong tea that is rooted in the Phoenix Mountain range of Guangdong, China. Given the tea’s inherent dessert winey and exotic fruit notes, The Macallan sought to replicate it with a predominantly sherry seasoned American oak casks expression. From there, the nuances of sherry seasoned European oak and a slight hint of bourbon seasoned American Oak whiskies round out the final expression. The result is a bouquet of warm honey hue with layers of summery peach, apricot, floral honey, tropical fruits, toffee, and sweet oak.
Conversely, The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea takes reference from JING’s Organic Cherrywood Lapsang tea, unorthodoxly and delicately smoked to impart a rich depth. The expression features a vast majority of sherry seasoned European oak casks and a complementary selection of sherry seasoned American oak casks. What greets the palate are deep, dark fruitiness and malty sweetness accents, enveloped by a delicate wisp of smoke that sets this whisky apart from its other elegant half.
Another important aspect of The Macallan Harmony Collection is utilising by-products at the end of their natural lives to create packaging through sustainable and innovative means. In homage to the world of tea, tea leaves deemed unsuitable for consumption have been thoughtfully incorporated into the paper of the whiskies’ presentation boxes.
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