“It’s Coffee Time at The Macallan in Kuala Lumpur” at APW Bangsar
The Macallan recently unveiled the new expressions that form the second edition of The Harmony Collection, a limited annual release series driven by the brand’s intrinsic curiosity as well as innovative and creative mindset. The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica is among the single malt whiskies in this year’s release that celebrates the world of coffee and was inspired by the Ethiopian Arabica coffee bean. The new expression is delivered in a beautifully constructed presentation box that combines reused coffee bean husks, a by-product of the coffee-making process, as a tribute to their coffee inspiration.
In conjunction with the launch of the collection, The Macallan held a consumer experiential whisky pairing experience “It’s Coffee Time at The Macallan in Kuala Lumpur” at The Bookmark at APW Bangsar from 17 to 19 February 2023.
The launch saw the attendance of whisky novices and guests such as Entrepreneur Aaron Chin, Social Media Personalities Venice Min and Gary Wong, Celebrity Actress Jojo Goh, January So and Lynn Lim, Actor Huang Qi Ming and Actress-Singer Jacqueline Tiang.
The experiential journey started through the ‘Entrance Portal’ that led to a display of The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica.
The visitors were then led to the “Arabica Garden,” where they explored the exhibition of several types of coffee beans that served as the model for the single-malt whisky. Kent Wong, a coffee roaster from Curate Coffee, then showed them the five roasting phases of the coffee beans that presented varied scent profiles at the “Roasting Station.”
Following the ‘Roasting Station,’ the audience was shown videos starring The Harmony Collection partners. The videos highlighted the many similarities between the approach to creating incomparable whisky and coffee, and how each collaborator with unique skills and craftsmanship collaborated to achieve the depth and complexity of taste, with both worlds aiming to deliver an extraordinary consumption experience with The Harmony Collection.
Following that, guests could choose their favourite coffee bean from a selection of five with varying flavour profiles at the station before proceeding to grind their coffee beans at the grinding station. Ethiopia Guji Anasora, Ethiopia Sidama Bensa, Ethiopia Aricha White ‘Sakura Drop,’ Uganda Naginzole Bulambuili ‘Engagi,’ and Brazil Fazenda Bossa Nova ‘Yellow Estellar’ were among the coffee beans offered, with their diverse flavour profiles described by Shaun Liew, Co-Founder of Curate Coffee.
Participants were then guided to the ‘Pairing Section’ where they awaited their coffee to be brewed and served by the baristas at the ‘Cupping Bar’. Jeremy Lee, The Macallan’s Brand Ambassador, educated the audience about the collection, its inspiration, expressions, and pairing possibilities with popcorn and coffee that enhance the whisky.
In order to obtain the specific aromas provided by the single malts, The Macallan Whisky Maker Steven Bremner used a harmonious blend of American and European oak casks, drawing inspiration from the Arabica coffee bean from Ethiopia, known as the birthplace of coffee. Inspired by Intense Arabica is a whisky that may be paired with coffee to offer a new way to enjoy The Macallan. It is evocative of a sweet yet potent espresso coffee.
The participants were then ushered to the “Gifting Corner” as the session drew to a close, where they choose either a rosemary, oregano, or mint herb packed with used coffee grounds as their souvenir of the experience to take home.
The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica is available from February 2023 onwards.
For more information, head over to
https://www.themacallan.com/en/whisky/single-malts/limited-releases/the-harmony-collection
Photo credits: Edrington Malaysia
