Inspired by Intense Arabica: At The Harmony Collection Launch by The Macallan in Grand Hyatt Manila

The deep soothing notes of intense arabica becomes the inspiration for an exquisite new limited edition from The Macallan in celebration of the world of coffee with The Harmony Collection. It's coffee time at The Macallan...

The Macallan recently unveiled its latest new expression for The Harmony Collection inspired by intense arabica at the Grand Hyatt Manila driven by the brand's inherent curiosity and its innovative and creative mindset. Elegantly refined with deep, bold and rich notes and a silky smooth finish, the latest and newest edition from The Harmony Collection by The Macallan is a unique expression of flavors from one of Scotland's enduring and iconic distilleries known for their legendary single malt whiskies. The Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean is the source of the new inspiration, resulting in yet another exquisite single malt expression. Pour a dram, and experience two contrasting worlds and cultures in perfect harmony with a soothing sip...

Any single malt fan would have The Macallan high up on the top of his list, and I've been fortunate to feature two of their previous limited edition expressions on the blog through the years (for more on The Macallan, see my previous posts Four for the Road: The Macallan Edition No. 4 at Top of the Alpha from 2018 and An Evening of Rare Distinction: The Macallan Rare Cask from 2016). This year, The Macallan opens a new palette of colorful flavors drawing inspiration from the world of coffee reflecting the brand's inventive approach to flavors and constant exploration of new flavor experiences. 

Led by The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner, a deep dive into the world of coffee from field to cup offered infinite possibilities in creating new flavor profiles in collaboration with Ethiopian coffee grower Kenean Asefa Dukamo whose family works with the Arabica varieties showcased in the new collection. To complete the roster, The Macallan Estate also invited other leading authorities including Lisa Lawson, a pioneer of specialty coffee acclaimed for her roasting techniques in Scotland, award-winning American barista Andrea Allen, UK-based coffee artist Dhan Tamang offering his own insights on coffee and sensory perceptions and leading coffee historian Professor Jonathan Morris providing a deeper perspective on the roots of coffee leading to its current status as a global phenomenon. It's coffee time at The Macallan...

The seemingly opposite ends of the flavor spectrum for coffee and single malt whisky may seem a rather unusual inspiration for the new collection. The contrasting and distinct cultures for coffee and whisky may be worlds apart, but it's the sublime layers of gentle flavor profiles where the similarities slowly emerge. There are parallels in the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee leading to that desired flavor profile with all the subtle nuances. The process behind the perfect cup of coffee and the perfect dram of whisky requires unique skills and craftsmanship to achieve the needed depth and complexity of taste for that extraordinary consumption experience. "Exploring the world of coffee with our masters in the industry who shared their knowledge, creativity and love for the art was both an education and an inspiration," shared Steven Bremner.  

"To create the coffee-inspired second addition of The Harmony Collection, 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 vanilla notes for a balanced and rounder experience," added The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner. 

"Each expression has been paired with two different variations of Ethiopian coffee, which accentuate the unique tasting notes within the whisky when enjoyed side by side, creating an exciting new sensorial experience of The Macallan."

The result is a bold, elegant and deep expression with intense and robust yet soothing notes bottled with that uniquely unrestrained spirit of the fabled Highlands. A few more steps takes you closer to the much anticipated second release in The Harmony Collection of The Macallan following the success of the previous Rich Cacao edition from last year.   

From March 9 to 11, The Macallan hosted experiential sessions that will bring the world of coffee and whisky together with each bottle of the newest expression in The Harmony Collection. And I was just steps away from my very own personal encounter with Inspired by Intense Arabica... 

A closer look revealed the deep amber hue described as "crema" shifting with the fading afternoon light of the newest edition of The Harmony Collection by The Macallan...

...with mounds of coffee beans reminding us of the source of inspiration. The Harmony Collection includes two inspired variants led by Inspired by Intense Arabica with its bold notes reminiscent of a sweet yet strong espresso with a higher ABV of 44% and the Smooth Arabica with its gently spiced and soft americano finish at an ABV of 40%. Both expressions can be paired with coffee to provide a new way to savor The Macallan. With guests limited to only 15 or less per session with assigned seats for a more intimate experience, my own personal encounter that afternoon was with The Harmony Collection's new Intense Arabica...

Inside, the set up featured all the elements from the world of coffee. The interactive sessions were hosted by The Macallan Brand Ambassador Hans Eckstein and assisted by Gio Visitacion of Good Cup Coffee. It's a collaborative vibe that mimics the creative process started by The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner with a select group of leading coffee experts in the development of the newest expression for The Harmony Collection. A purely and deeply personal sensory experience, guests were invited to fill their bowl with coffee beans, feel and smell the beans, before proceeding to the grinding station.  

The Macallan Brand Ambassador Hans Eckstein encouraged guests to feel the source of inspiration, both roasted and unroasted coffee beans...

...teasing the eyes with its fragrant and nutty aroma...

...while a handful of beans provided a tactile experience of a flavorful inspiration behind yet another expression from The Harmony Collection by The Macallan. 

Each guest enthusiastically participated in the activity...

...replicating to my mind what The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner initiated before taking that deep plunge into the coffee culture and kickstart the creative process for The Harmony Collection's newest edition. 

Back at the table, a tray with bowls of fresh ground coffee and popcorn along with the prized dram of The Harmony Collection awaits as we continue our own exploration of flavors.  

A quick whiff brings bold notes of vanilla, espresso roast and cacao hints finished with aromatic deep wood and even butter and caramel to the nose. Guests also mentioned a subtle cinnamon and licorice layer to its fragrance while others added tiramisu, cappuccino, gingerbread, raisins, almonds and sweet oak to their experience.

Another whiff and sip of Ethiopian coffee, the very inspiration behind The Harmony Collection's newest expression sets the mood and tone with an upbeat imaginary soundtrack inside your head on a circuitous loop. Flavor is a trigger, reminding you of a time and place or a collection of similarly flavored associations. The use of Ethiopian coffee sets you off on your own journey with its own unique playlist of associations. And fittingly so, with Ethiopia considered by many as the birthplace of coffee and the coffee culture. The bowl of popcorn is also an homage to Ethiopian coffee origins, usually served along with coffee in traditional ceremonies. Mental notes of flavorful cues pop up leading to a lengthy list with each sip, adding to the experience.   

In the most anticipated moment of the afternoon's event, The Macallan Brand Ambassador Hans Eckstein then invited everyone to pick up the footed snifter...

...and The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner's journey to the world of coffee comes to life with a quick whiff followed by light sip of the golden amber crema creation..  

The first sip drapes the palate with a deep and elegant richness weaving layers of contrasting and distinct notes of sweet roasted coffee with bold dark chocolate and raisin hints. There's a lingering nutty sweetness like what you'd expect from an espresso or roasted cacao with an elegantly smooth and mildly sweet finish. Others mentioned vanilla, espresso, tiramisu, brazil nut and sweet oak playing on their palate. Another sip brings a whole new batch of flavor associations indicating the depth of flavors from the Inspired by Intense Arabica expression of The Harmony Collection.

The name of the newest expression by The Macallan says it all. Inspired by Intense Arabica is lavishly interpreted with the use of European and American oak casks to recreate the nuanced notes of coffee. And no, absolutely no coffee was added to the whisky nor the casks for the purest single malt expression you'd expect from The Macallan Estate.

Mitch Chopitea, Edrington Brand Manager for The Macallan's importer, Future Trade International, announced that The Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica will be available on a limited release at premium liquor stores and online stores namely Thirst.ph, Boozy.ph, Singlemalt.ph, Flasked.ph and Winery.ph starting March 2023 with an SRP of P 30,820 per 700 ml bottle.

After the session, I joined The Macallan Brand Ambassador Hans Eckstein and Gio Visitacion of Good Cup Coffee for another sip for the road while exchanging notes from a unique and memorable experience from The Macallan's newest expression. 

The enduring popularity of whisky in general and premium single malt in particular in the local market keeps The Macallan top-of-mind as the The Harmony Collection adds yet another bold statement. Creative and inventive with bold and flavor forward notes, Inspired by Intense Arabica is a notable addition to The Macallan's repertoire of premium crafted spirits and a long tradition in the pursuit of perfection in a bottle. Going out of the box searching for unusual and even unexpected sources of inspiration like cacao and coffee reflects the brand's unrestrained approach to new flavor experiences. And for single malt fans, that's a very good sign. 

After the session, guests were invited outside to the al fresco area where that familiar aroma draws you closer to the source...

...as Gio Visitacion and his team from Good Cup Coffee completes your coffee time experience with The Macallan with a masterfully brewed cup of soothing Latte.

Inspiration can come from the most unexpected and even mundane everyday and common routine, like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. Sometimes, it's the little things that can spark flights of creativity and imagination. 

The Macallan does just that with its Inspired by Intense Arabica for The Harmony Collection. One more sip and the world of coffee and whisky come together seamlessly, and instead of being worlds apart both cultures now weave a new and colorful tapestry together.

My impression of the Inspired by Intense Arabica from The Harmony Collection of The Macallan? For serious single malt enthusiasts, it's a mandatory addition to your playlist of unique whisky experiences. It's also a testament to The Macallan's forward, bold and innovative thinking and approach to flavors. The Harmony Collection's Inspired by Intense Arabica offers a whole new mood and vibe along with a distinct and personal flavor experience for yet another layer to your enjoyment of premium single malts. And that's why it's on my list.

Consistent with The Macallan's renewed commitment to sustainability, The Harmony Collection also features distinctive packaging incorporating organic by-products giving it new life similar to the launch of the Rich Cacao expression last year with its use of discarded husks from cacao pods for the box. 

It's coffee time takes on a new and more flavorful elegant vibe with the Inspired by Intense Arabica from The Harmony Collection by The Macallan. The newest expression solidifies The Macallan's preeminent status in the world of single malt. And it all began with a perfectly brewed cup of coffee to spark a memorable journey in its search for new flavor experiences. Now it's your turn...

For more on The Macallan Harmony Collection, you can visit their website at https://www.themacallan.com/ for updates and more information.

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