The Macallan Unveils the Harmony Vibrant Oak - Men's Folio

The Macallan Unveils the Harmony Vibrant Oak

The Macallan unveils the fourth instalment of its Harmony collection headlined by The Macallan Harmony Vibrant Oak, which takes inspiration from Cirque du Soleil.

With a history dating back 200 years ago, how does one fully grasp and comprehend the vastness and richness of The Macallan? Of the many tutelages of various leaders and pivotal moments throughout the distillery’s illustrious past, there was an unwavering constant fundamental to The Macallan — nature. Without nature’s gift of The Macallan Estate’s barley and waters from River Spey, whisky-making would not have been possible. Yet many forget another crucial ingredient, aside from time, oak. Without oak casks as maturation vessels, whisky would not have existed. As The Macallan celebrates its double centenary, the distillery pays its respect to oak in the fourth instalment of The Macallan Harmony collection.

The Macallan Unveils the Harmony Vibrant OakCuriously, stories of the Harmony collection are told as collaborations instead of standalone arcs. After exploring the worlds of chocolate with Spain’s Roca brothers, Ethiopian coffee with five coffee experts and the Scottish lands with the McCartney sisters, the fourth chapter is told through Cirque du Soleil’s world-renowned artistry.

Earlier in 2024, guests experienced SPIRIT at The Macallan Estate in Speyside, where Cirque du Soleil highlighted nature’s indelible importance to The Macallan. At the heart of the nature-inspired experience was an oak tree, brought to life through characters such as Ayla and Davonna. The Harmony Collection Vibrant Oak is represented by Ayla, intertwined amongst American oak branches to signify the whisky’s maturation in first fill sherry seasoned American oak casks and second fill sherry seasoned oak casks for a flavourful profile of vanilla, lime, sweet oak, apple and toasted almonds. 

After nosing the first two alcohol-heavy fumes, an initial bouquet of intense vanilla bean accompanied by sweet sherbet and lime zest gives way to fragrant pears nestled in delicate vanilla sponge cake. Sipping ice-cold water clears and prepares the palate to take on the 44.2% ABV whisky. Expect notes similar to creamy vanilla panna cotta, buttery shortbread, lightly toasted coconut with almond brittle, apple and sweet oak that later give way to a medium lingering finish of vanilla.

The Macallan Unveils the Harmony Vibrant OakAnother important aspect of the Harmony collection is utilising by-products through sustainable and innovative means. Oak chippings from oak cask making are repurposed for the fourth collection’s presentation box and bottle labels with Ayla’s energising gold livery artfully illustrated on the Harmony Collection Vibrant Oak presentation box.

A world of nature working in harmony awaits discovery with The Macallan Harmony Vibrant Oak. The Macallan Harmony Vibrant Oak can be purchased at The Macallan House Singapore.

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our October 2024 issue.