The Macallan is celebrating the launch of the travel retail-exclusive The Harmony Collection Smooth Arabica with a homepage makeover of The Moodie Davitt Report this week.
Smooth Arabica is the second global travel retail release in The Harmony Collection, a limited annual series of single malts by The Macallan. The line reinforces the whisky house’s sustainability journey as each edition features distinctive packaging that incorporates organic by-products and sustainable materials.
The Macallan Harmony Collection Smooth Arabica is inspired by the Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean. It has a RRP of US$185.
On 1 November, it launched exclusively at The Macallan’s Hainan boutiques and in pop-ups at the CDF Mall in Haitang Bay and at Haikou Meilan International Airport through through China Duty Free Group, before rolling out to other key airport boutiques and duty free locations in mid-November.
Edrington Global Travel Retail Regional Managing Director Jeremy Speirs commented: “The response from global shoppers to the first travel retail-exclusive launch in the Harmony Collection was extremely positive, so we’re excited to continue this journey with the launch of Smooth Arabica.
“The GTR limited edition, annual-release format is one which has strong appeal in travel retail, particularly when combined with the rich storytelling behind Smooth Arabica, drawing parallels with the popularity, heritage and craftsmanship of coffee and whisky making, layered with the recycling of coffee bean husk for our packaging.”
The expression was created by The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner, who hosted a masterclass with renowned coffee experts at The Macallan Estate to immerse himself into the world of coffee. Bremner explored the coffee making process from field to cup and discovered distinct flavour profiles at each stage of the process.
Ethiopian coffee grower Kenean Asefa Dukamo, Scottish coffee roaster Lisa Lawson and American barista Andrea Allen were some of the coffee masters who shared their knowledge with Bremner during the masterclass.
UK-based coffee artist Dhan Tamang created a range of coffee art and shared his know-how on creating the perfect coffee serve, while coffee historian Professor Jonathan Morris offered insights into the roots of coffee and how it grew into the global phenomenon that it is today.
Inspired by the masterclass, Bremner combined American and European oak casks to achieve the distinctive coffee notes. Smooth Arabica is a 40% ABV whisky that offers gently spiced, soft Americano flavours. Notably, it can be paired with coffee, offering whisky connoisseurs a new way to enjoy The Macallan.
“Exploring the world of coffee with our masters in the industry, who shared their knowledge, creativity, and love for their art, was both an education and an inspiration,” commented Steven Bremner.
“There are many parallels between the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee. Each requires unique skills and craftsmanship to achieve depth and complexity of taste and both worlds aim to deliver an extraordinary consumption experience.
“This exclusive travel retail expression, Smooth Arabica 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 a new sensorial experience of The Macallan.”
The expression is packaged in a box which incorporates repurposed coffee bean husks, a by-product of the coffee-making process. It was designed by paper expert Michele Posocco, from Italian paper mill Favini, and features a vibrant green hue that represents the colour of unroasted coffee beans.
The first release in The Harmony Collection, Rich Cacao, launched in the domestic market in 2021. This was followed by Fine Cacao, which launched in global travel retail earlier this year. Both expressions offer rich chocolate flavours and incorporate discarded husks from cacao pods in their packaging.
