The Macallan Harmony Collection Takes To Tea

The Macallan has unveiled the latest in its Harmony Collection, two whiskies created in collaboration with JING, curators of single garden teas.The limited-edition single malts – Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea and Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea – pay homage to the world of tea and the artistry of nature. Every stage of the whisky making process was managed through ownership and partnerships with direct suppliers – from vineyards and sherry producers in Jerez de la Frontera to oak sourced from their own sawmills in the US and Spain.Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea, crafted by The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team, is a tribute to the rare oolong tea traditionally grown in China's Phoenix Mountain range. Known for its lush dessert wine aromas and exotic fruit notes, this tea inspired a whisky predominantly matured in Sherry Seasoned American oak casks, with additional depth from Sherry Seasoned European oak and a subtle inclusion of American oak casks that previously held bourbon.Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea, an exclusive Global Travel Retail release, draws inspiration from JING’s Organic Cherrywood Lapsang tea – a reinvented take on Lapsang Souchong, delicately smoked over cherrywood in the UK. This expression wasprimarily matured in Sherry Seasoned European oak casks and complemented by a selection of Sherry Seasoned American oak casks.“Our collaboration with JING is a celebration of the parallels between whisky and tea – two crafts deeply rooted in nature, tradition and time," said Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan. "Working with JING has allowed us to explore new dimensions of flavor and storytelling, creating two whiskies that are both innovative and deeply connected to the land.”In keeping with the collection's ethos of sustainability, the presentation boxes for both whiskies are crafted using repurposed waste tea leaves, embracing the use of organic materials in their packaging.“At JING, we’re inspired by the unique terroir and craftsmanship behind every tea origin," said Melanie Tricklebank, CEO of JING. "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.”To celebrate this collaboration, The Macallan has introduced a whisky and tea pairing ritual, inspired by the traditional Chinese Gong Fu tea ceremony (工夫茶). Originating in Eastern Guangdong, this ceremonial practice emphasizes the artistic preparation and communal enjoyment of tea, reflecting a deep cultural heritage. This ritual highlights the shared values of terroir and tradition that unite single garden teas and single malt whisky, offering a multi-sensory experience that honors the complexity and sophistication of both traditions.The Macallan Harmony Collection draws inspiration from collaborations with chefs, connoisseurs and artists to produce innovative whiskies with unique flavors. Previous Harmony editions include partnerships with Cirque Du Soleil, the Roca Brothers, and Stella and Mary McCartney.The Macallan’s Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea is available now for $200. The Macallan’s Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea will launch on October 1 exclusively at Global Travel Retail stores for $190.