Whisky hour at The Macallan gets a twist with the launch of the Scotch whisky distillery’s latest additions to the Harmony Collection, crafted in collaboration with JING, purveyors of some of the world’s most exceptional single garden teas. The 2025 edition introduces Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea and Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea, two limited-edition single malts that celebrate the artistry, terroir, and craftsmanship inherent in both whisky and tea.
Rooted in a shared reverence for nature and time-honoured traditions, this collaboration brings together The Macallan’s mastery of sherry-seasoned oak maturation and JING’s dedication to sourcing expressive teas from singular origins. The result: two expressions that sit at opposite ends of the flavour spectrum, each echoing the personality and provenance of the tea that inspired it.
A rare oolong expression
The first expression, Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea, draws from a prized, rare oolong grown in the Phoenix Mountain range of Guangdong, China. Celebrated for its lush dessert wine-like aromas and exotic fruit notes, this single garden tea informs a whisky equally rich in nuance.
Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team, the spirit is predominantly matured in Sherry Seasoned American oak casks, with layers added from Sherry Seasoned European oak and a subtle portion of ex-bourbon American oak. The result is a warm honey-coloured whisky with aromas of peach, apricot, floral honey, tropical fruits, toffee, and sweet oak. On the palate, expect peaches in syrup, warm citrus, delicate florals, and a bright leafy astringency, with a fruity and elegantly complex finish.
A ritual rooted in heritage
To further celebrate the partnership, The Macallan has introduced a bespoke whisky-and-tea pairing ritual inspired by the Gong Fu tea ceremony (工夫茶) originating in Eastern Guangdong. Emphasising precision, attentiveness, and communal enjoyment, the ceremony mirrors the craftsmanship and respect for terroir and tradition uniting both single malt whisky and single garden teas.
This ritual enhances the multisensory experience of the Harmony Collection, guiding enthusiasts to understand how water, temperature, aroma, and pacing can unlock deeper layers of flavour in each dram.
As Jaume Ferras, Creative Director at The Macallan, puts it: “Our collaboration with JING is a celebration of the parallels between whisky and tea – two crafts deeply rooted in nature, tradition, and time. Working with JING has allowed us to explore new dimensions of flavour and storytelling, creating two whiskies that are both innovative and deeply connected to the land.”
“At JING, we’re inspired by the unique terroir and craftsmanship behind every tea origin. It’s a pleasure to collaborate with such an incredible brand and to see The Macallan draw inspiration from the distinctive quality and craft of the tea producer partners who inspire our mission to change the perception of what tea can be,” Melanie Tricklebank, CEO of JING, added.
Crafted with sustainability in mind
In keeping with the Harmony Collection’s environmental ethos, both expressions are presented in packaging made from repurposed waste tea leaves – marking a poetic use of materials at the end of their natural lifecycle. The annual release also continues The Macallan’s tradition of collaborations that spotlight artistry and innovation, following previous partnerships with Cirque du Soleil, the Roca Brothers, and Stella and Mary McCartney.
With these twin releases, The Macallan’s 2025 Harmony Collection invites collectors and enthusiasts to experience whisky through an unexpected yet harmonious lens. By weaving together the worlds of tea and single malt, the brand once again affirms its dedication to craftsmanship, provenance, and the beauty of nature-driven flavour.
A smoky blend for jet-setters
Exclusively for travellers, The Macallan has also released Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea, taking cues from JING’s contemporary spin on Lapsang Souchong. Unlike the traditional pine-smoked method, this tea is delicately smoked over cherrywood in the UK, giving it a softer, fruitier, aromatic smoke.
To mirror this character, the whisky is matured primarily in Sherry Seasoned European oak casks, supported by Sherry Seasoned American oak. The nose opens with rich toffee, dates, warm spices, ripe berries, and charred citrus peel – all wrapped in a graceful smoked-oak note. The palate follows with creamy toffee, vibrant oak spice, sweet malt, and a final wisp of smoke that lingers with refined subtlety.
The Macallan’s Inspired By Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea is available for purchase at Cellar 18, The Chamber, Jaya Grocer’s Hank’s – Hank’s Malaysia, Mercato, and Village Grocer’s Boozeit Retail. Inspired By Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea is now available as a Global Retail Exclusive.
For more information, visit www.themacallan.com.
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