The Macallan’s Last Harmony Collection Whiskies Taste Like Coconut
The Macallan releases a lot of whisky over the course of any given year, and at times it can be hard to differentiate what makes one expression different from the others. One collection that has really strived to highlight unique and specific flavors, however, is the Harmony Collection, and the latest release is a pair of single malts that are supposed to taste like coconut. That might sound odd, but there’s some science behind this.
The Harmony Collection launched in 2021 with the release of Rich Cacao and Fine Cacao, a pair of whiskies that were supposed to have chocolate flavors created in collaboration with Spanish chef Jordi Roca of the El Cellar de Can Roca. That was followed by Intense and Smooth Arabica (evoking coffee flavors), Amber and Green Meadow (inspired by nature), Vibrant and Guardian Oak (a tribute to the casks used and a collab with Cirque du Soleil), and Inspired by Tea. This new whisky duo, Inspired by Fresh Coconut and Inspired by Toasted Coconut, will be the sixth and final release in the series.
We spoke to lead whisky maker Euan Kennedy about the new whiskies, and how to make something that is pretty conceptual, like a tasting note, into a reality. He told Robb Report when it comes to coconut, there is some actual science behind this flavor. “[This release] is about giving people the opportunity to explore what feels like quite a unique and novel flavor in whisky,” he said. “But actually it’s rooted in the science of whisky making. Coconut, as a flavor, is associated with oak lactones in American oak. So that was the starting point for the flavor of these two whiskies—to figure out how we can go after that taste profile within our American oak population.”
To that end, the casks used to mature these two expressions differed a bit from the Macallan’s usual focus on sherry-seasoned American and European oak, a defining characteristic of the distillery. For the Inspired by Fresh Coconut expression, a combination of American sherry-seasoned oak and ex-bourbon barrels were used to mature the whisky. “Bringing those two things together, you get this lovely balance of coconut supported by tropical citrus, and a lovely honeyed sweetness as well,” said Kennedy. Inspired by Toasted Coconut, on the other hand, incorporates some virgin oak casks into the mix. “North American oak is again brought to Spain, but this time we’ve chosen not to sherry season it, which is really unusual for us,” Kennedy explained. “It sets it apart subtly in that the fresh wood elevates the toasted characteristic. The two whiskies are in the same flavor camp, but they’re pulled apart a bit using those subtly different cask types.”
At its core, according to Kennedy, the new Harmony Collection is still very much Macallan, despite these unique maturation methods. “It’s really about picking the right whisky for the right story,” he said. “We fundamentally always want to be the Macallan, so it’s got to be right for us. For this specific release, it felt that these casks matched the story, and it all came together really well. We were able to create a little bit of differentiation and uniqueness in the two releases, while still sitting in this coconut-inspired world.”
The Harmony Collection Inspired by Fresh Coconut will be available starting this month at specialty retailers and online (SRP $185), while Inspired by Toasted Coconut will be available exclusively at global travel retail locations (SRP $185). The Macallan is also hosting a tasting experience at Delano Miami Beach from August 5 through 9, and you can reserve your spot now.
