The Macallan Harmony Collection was released two years ago, replacing the, now legendary, annual limited-release ‘Edition’ series. This year sees the introduction of the Amber Meadow, which follows on from the Rich Cacao and Intense Arabica releases.
The Scotch whisky industry has over half a millenia of recorded history; in this time the world has changed a great deal: distilleries today, more than ever, must focus on environmental sustainability. This is the focus of The Macallan Harmony Collection.
The Harmony Collection’s third instalment, Amber Meadow, is inspired by the the natural Scottish grasslands. To create this single malt, The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team collaborated with fashion designer, Stella McCartney and photographer sister, Mary McCartney. The sisters were inspired by their childhood growing up in Scotland: they spoke of summer days in amber fields at the family farm in the Scottish countryside, and describe nature as “both energising and serene, contrasting qualities rekindled by this collaboration. This affinity with the land inspires joyful memories of family, sisterhood and community.”
The end result is a distinctive expression, redolent of warm meadows and mature barley fields, with a rich, citrus scented finish, using a combination of both sherry seasoned oak and bourbon casks.
Furthermore, in keeping with the Harmony Collection’s ethos, the labels and packaging for this release are made from repurposed and upcycled discarded meadow cuttings and other post-consumer waste.
Due to the limited nature of this release, it is limited to 1 bottle per customer.
Official Tasting Notes:
Colour: Summer Evening
Nose: Rich orange and lemon, honeysuckle, vanilla, coconut and ripe barley fields.
Palate: Rich oak, lemon, melon, classic scone, almond and green tea.
Finish: Rich, sweet, long and complex.
Macallan is one of the world’s best known – and by value best selling – Scottish single malt whiskies. Founded in 1824, it has become a marker of prestige and quality since the distillery placed a focus on ex-sherry casks in the ’70s.
That focus has continued into the present, with some reports suggesting that as many of 97% of casks filled at the distilley in the present day are sherry-seasoned before being filled with whisky.
In 2017 Macallan’s owners Edrington Group commissioned a new distillery building complete with 12 wash stills 24 spirits stills that will increase production capacity from 11 million litres a year to 15 million. It was opened in May 2018 and was believed to cost £140m – the old distillery building closed December 2018.
Macallan’s new make spirit is rich and oily and takes time to mature in their sherry seasoned casks, often the best expressions are in the teenage years.
