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The Macallan releases a lot of new whisky throughout the year, so at times it can be hard to discern what makes one new bottle different from the next. Sometimes the whisky is a nearly century-old single malt that break records at auction, while other times it has been dialed in to develop a specific flavor profile. The one tie that binds virtually all of the Macallan‘s whisky is the use of sherry-seasoned oak barrels for maturation, but the latest Harmony Collection release is an attempt to show specifically how that affects the flavor.
The new Harmony Collection release is the fourth in the series, following expressions meant to showcase flavors like chocolate and coffee, and a partnership with Stella and Mary McCartney. The new release is a collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, which produced a “sensory experience” called Spirit at the distillery that ran over the past year. This new duo of whiskies is also meant to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary, something it’s been marking pretty much all year. There are two single malts included—Vibrant Oak and Guardian Oak—each aged in a different combination of sherry-seasoned American and European oak to tell the story of how maturation affects the Macallan’s whisky. “Oak plays such an important role in the color and flavor of the Macallan and bringing it to life through our packaging is incredibly inspirational,” said whisky maker Diane Stuart in a statement. “Vibrant Oak and Guardian Oak gave us the opportunity to carefully select casks that embody the classic characteristics of our two key wood types, sherry-seasoned American oak and sherry-seasoned European oak casks, showcasing the unique flavors each brings.”
Vibrant Oak was aged in a combination of first-fill sherry-seasoned American oak barrels and refill sherry casks, according to the distillery, to highlight “classic American oak flavors of vanilla, citrus, and sweet oak… with a medium, sweet finish that delicately lingers.” The bottle label features an illustration of Ayla, a character from the Cirque du Soleil Spirit Experience, intertwined in oak to represent the connection between humanity and nature. Guardian Oak, on the other hand, is a travel retail exclusive aged in first-fill sherry-seasoned European oak and refill sherry casks to bring out “classic European oak flavors of dried fruits and sweet spices… with a long and rich oak finish.” The label of this bottle features the character Davonna in an oak tree, again to symbolize our relationship with the natural world.
The Macallan Harmony Collection Vibrant Oak is available now to purchase at ReserveBar ($200). As mentioned before, Guardian Oak is a travel exclusive so that will be available to purchase starting in January of 2025 at Macallan Global Boutiques and duty free shops in airports around the world.
