The Macallan Harmony Collection is a fairly new annual series. It focuses on sustainable packaging with recycled materials. It currently contains two expressions: Rich Cacao and Fine Cacao. Both were composed in collaboration with Jordi Roca, the pastry chef at El Celler de Can Roca.
The cask recipe is the same as virtually all Macallan whisky these days. Some sherry seasoned casks and some bourbon cask. Without further details this is a pretty boring statement.
Macallan The Harmony Collection – Rich Cacao (44%, OB 2021)
Nose: fairly lightweight but quite pleasant. It reminds me of certain Macallan Editions, albeit toned down a few steps. There’s minimal fruitiness, it revolves around malty notes and vanilla. Also subtle sherry notes like cinnamon, orange peels and ginger cookies. Rich cocoa? Some cocoa, yes. However, there are plenty of other whiskies that are more suited for this title.
Mouth: more sherry wood shining through. Baking spice like nutmeg and clove, with gingerbread in the background. Growing hints of cinnamon powder, as well as drying chocolate indeed. Some orange oils and marmalade but the oak spice is stronger. Overall it’s lacking richness and depth.
Finish: not too long, on oranges and ginger with a slightly astringent edge.
This is quite good. In any case a lot better than that other Macallan we had recently. That said, the initial price was already high and secondary market pricing is downright crazy. Who keeps ‘investing’ in stuff like this?