A Scottish Reunion

The Macallan teams up with Stella and Mary Mccartney to craft the Amber Meadow and Green Meadow, two distinct single‑malt expressions, for the third instalment of the Harmony Collection

Throughout its storied 200‑year history, The Macallan has shown an affinity for sustainability and a deep love for nature. It is for these reasons that the Scottish distillery launched the Harmony Collection, a series of limited‑edition whiskies released annually that are encased in packaging made of discarded materials, in 2021. Released last year, the third edition consists of Amber Meadow and Green Meadow (a travel retail exclusive), two distinct expressions created in collaboration with renowned fashion designer Stella Mccartney and her photographer sister Mary, and inspired by their childhood in Scotland.

The Macallan’s whisky maker Steven Bremner, who worked with the sisters to bring their nostalgic memories into tangible sips, shares that the taste profile of Amber Meadow recalls the duo’s summer days in the amber fields surrounding the Mccartneys’ family farm in the countryside, as well as their time at The Macallan Estate, where they learnt about its storied heritage. “There’s coconut from the flowering gorse bushes, malty barley notes, and even citrus from a multitude of meadow flowers and honeysuckle, whose aroma is timed to release [as dusk falls] to attract moths for pollination,” he says.

The colour of a typical summer evening in Scotland is reflected in the Amber Meadow expression, the result of the new‑make spirit spending time in exceptional sherry‑seasoned oak and bourbon casks. “The single malt is redolent of warm meadows and mature barley fields, with a rich, citrus‑scented finish,” adds Bremner. On the nose, there are captivating notes of fresh citrus fruits and honeysuckle as well as hints of vanilla. Bremner invites one to take a sip and revel in its complex taste profile—a medley of oak, lemon and melon flavours that are interwoven with those of a classic scone and almond with green tea, with a rich and sweet finish that lingers on the palate.

Extending beyond the Harmony Collection’s limited‑edition expressions, the creative partnership between The Macallan and the Mccartneys also yielded a lifestyle collection aptly titled Together: A Collection for The Macallan by Stella and Mary Mccartney, comprising 11 bespoke pieces that take cues from nature and The Macallan’s craftsmanship. Among the pieces designed by the sisters, and expertly realised by master artisans and craftspeople, are handmade glassware in vibrant earthy shades, an ombre ceramic flask with an apple leather sleeve, and an acorn‑shaped brass napkin weight that pays homage to the oak casks used in making The Macallan whiskies.

“The collection is unlike anything The Macallan has ever introduced, showcasing how we continue to innovate and challenge ourselves,” says Jaume Ferras, The Macallan’s global creative director. “Yet, the respect for nature reflected by Stella and Mary’s beautiful designs is at the heart of our brand and has been for 200 years.”

The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow is available at The Macallan House Singapore at Raffles Hotel.