Ethiopia is credited as being the birthplace of coffee, and the Arabica bean is thought to be the first species of coffee to be cultivated. The fusion of The Macallan and coffee worlds has resulted in an intensely flavoured and incomparable whisky.
THE SIX MASTERS
The Harmony Collection explores our innate curiosity and principles of innovation and creativity. The Macallan Whisky Maker, Steven Bremner, created the second release after immersing himself in the world of coffee.
Six masters, from the worlds of coffee and paper, shared their expertise on the journey from bean to cup. To nurture a knowledge exchange between these world-renowned exports, share fascinating stories and rare perspectives, Steven hosted a masterclass at The Macallan Estate to uncover this unique process and the distinct flavour profiles at each stage.
The Grower – Kenean Asefa Dukamo
Kenean is the Export Manager of the Dukamo family, a second generation of Ethiopian coffee growers. The Dukamo family works with the Arabica variety that was the source of inspiration for The Harmony Collection. Kenean has shared his knowledge with Steven on how the coffee bean is grown and cultivated through responsible farming techniques.
The Roaster – Lisa Lawson
Roasting coffee for over 19 years, Lisa Lawson is the founder of Dear Green Coffee Roasters in Glasgow and one of the pioneers of speciality coffee in Scotland. Lisa has shared her experience of the roasting process – on techniques, beans and flavours – with Steven Bremner.
The Historian – Jonathan Morris
A research Professor at the School of Humanities, University of Hertfordshire (UK), and Vice President of the Royal Historical Society. Jonathan Morris is a historian of consumption, specialising in the history of coffee. Professor Morris is one of the most respected coffee experts in the world. He spent time with Steven Bremner to share his vast knowledge on the roots of coffee, the different styles and how it has grown into the global phenomenon that it is today.
The Barista – Andrea Allen
One of the co-owners of Onyx Coffee Lab, Andrea Allen is one of the top baristas in the world and in February 2020, she was proclaimed Best Barista in the United States. Andre co-runs Onyx Coffee Labs with her husband Jon Allen. She shared her barista expertise and the science of creating an incredible coffee experience with Steven Bremner at The Macallan Estate.
Coffee Artist – Dhan Tamang
Dhan is a world-renowned latte artist acclaimed for his use of colour in latte art. He has been crowned UK Latte Art Champion over a number of years and also a finalist in the World Latte Art Championship. In The Harmony Collection, Dhan has shared his extensive knowledge of the coffee world and, in particular, of the art of the perfect coffee serve and the sensory perceptions with Steven.
Paper Artist – Michele Posocco
Michele Posocco is the Marketing Manager with Favini – a historical paper mill based in Italy. Favini is committed to creating products in harmony with nature, through more sustainable, high-quality and environmentally friendly processes and raw materials. Michele was fundamental in the creation of the innovative and distinctive packaging for this release. The packaging has given new life to coffee bean husks that would otherwise have been discarded.
CURATED VARIETIES
The majority of Ethiopia’s coffee is grown in Oromia. It is from here that the coffee beans which served as the inspiration for our exquisite single-malt whisky come from. Steven selected Harrar and Guji Ethiopian coffee beans for the Inspired by Intense Arabica expression, due to the coffee’s robust flavour profile and intensity. Coffee from Guji and Harrar offers unique, wild-varietal Arabica, with an intense and robust flavour.
“When you drink coffee it’s a personal perception. The Macallan is a beautifully crafted drink. It looks beautiful, it feels great. The spiral, a journey, the history of coffee, this is about us making connections with The Macallan and other coffee experts in the industry and we’re sharing our experience through this project.” – Dhan Tamang Coffee Artist.
For the Smooth Arabica expression, Steven selected Yirgacheffe and Limu coffee beans. Contrasting to coffee from Guji and Harrar, Yirgacheffe and Limu coffee beans have more delicate flavour notes with a much smoother finish. Coffee from Yirgacheffe exudes strong notes of strawberry and is one of Steven’s favourite varieties.
Much like whisky, coffee is a beverage that has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. It’s a universal language and an integral part of many different cultures worldwide. The second edition of The Harmony Collection is inspired by the essence of this special drink to create two unique single malts with exceptional flavour and character.
