A series built on flavour and collaboration
The Harmony Collection is a limited annual series from The Macallan. Each edition takes a natural theme and is shaped through partnerships with chefs, artists and specialists from outside the whisky world, with packaging made from natural materials linked to that theme. Earlier editions explored cacao, coffee and Scottish meadows, the last with Stella and Mary McCartney.
200 years of The Macallan
The Macallan was founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, a farmer, near Craigellachie in the heart of Speyside. In 2024 the distillery celebrated its 200th anniversary, and the fourth chapter of the Harmony Collection was created to mark it.
Oak takes centre stage
For its 200th birthday, The Macallan chose to celebrate oak, the wood its casks are made from and the source of much of its whisky's flavour and colour.
Cirque du Soleil and SPIRIT
To bring the theme to life, The Macallan partnered with Cirque du Soleil. Earlier in 2024, the two had created SPIRIT, a nature-inspired performance that premiered at The Macallan Estate in Speyside. The characters from that show now appear on the packaging. Ayla features on Vibrant Oak, set among illustrated oak branches on a gold box.
Two oaks
The release came as a pair:
- Vibrant Oak, sold in shops, is the lighter, brighter of the two, built around American oak
- Guardian Oak, an airport-only release, is richer and darker, built around European oak
Harmony Vibrant Oak
Vibrant Oak is matured in first-fill American oak and sherry-seasoned oak casks, and bottled at 44.2% ABV. The Macallan describes its colour as "Autumnal Leaf".
A box made from oak
In true Harmony fashion, the packaging comes from the theme itself. The presentation box and bottle label are made from repurposed oak chippings, a by-product of making casks.
In the glass
- Nose: vanilla bean, sherbet and lime zest, with pear and light sponge cake
- Palate: vanilla panna cotta, shortbread, almond brittle, apple and sweet oak
- Finish: medium length and sweet, with lingering vanilla
New to picking out flavours like these? Our guide on how to taste whisky like a pro walks you through nose, palate and finish step by step.
More Macallan in the Vault
Browse our Macallan draws for the latest bottles up for grabs, or read about our Macallan Whisky Weekend Draw.
See who has already won a bottle on our winners list, or browse all of our live whisky competitions. You can also win a free bottle every month, and our FAQs explain how entries, draws and free postal entry work.