In the summer of 2025 The Macallan released two whiskies in collaboration with JING Tea. Both are part of the Harmony Collection – this time inspired by tea. There’s Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea (oolong from Guandong) and this Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea, a reinvention of Lapsang Souchong.
The whisky comes primarily from European oak sherry seasoned casks, complemented by American oak casks.
The Macallan – Inspired by Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea (44,9%, OB ‘The Harmony Collection’ 2025, sherry seasoned casks)
Nose: I’m picking up heavily toasted European oak, which results in a rather oriental profile. Sandalwood, whiffs of incense, some tea indeed. Perhaps more Pu-Erh than Lapsang, I would say. Then dark fruits (raisins, figs), a hint of citrus, toffee sweetness and nice hints of tobacco leaves. Very wood-driven, but in a nicely aromatic way.
Mouth: toasted wood again, along with pleasant (flamed) orange peelings, tea leaves and sourish sea buckthorn. Then dark chocolate, hints of cold coffee and a little toffee sweetness underneath. Black pepper and clove oil. Hints of liquorice, red plums and preserved cherries in the distance. Overall more on the savoury side.
Finish: medium, still balancing sourish berries, dark brewed tea and charred oaky notes.
I don’t know the tea, but it’s not a smoky whisky so it doesn’t scream Lapsang to me. On the other hand there’s certainly a toasted oriental element, and the whisky in itself is one of the better official Macallans I’ve had lately. Technically a travel retail exclusive. The other whisky, the Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea, is still available from retailers like The Whisky Exchange.