The Macallan is releasing a new addition to its Harmony Collection: the The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea, a limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky launching at retailers and online stores across Japan on June 2, 2026.
Inspired by a Rare Chinese Oolong Tea
Developed in collaboration with JING TEA — a company celebrated for providing distinctive, high-quality single-garden teas — this expression takes its cue from Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea, a highly rare oolong traditionally grown in the Fenghuang Mountains of Guangdong Province, China. Known for its rich, dessert wine-like fragrance and exotic fruit nuances, this tea served as the starting point for a complex and elegant whisky.
The Macallan's whisky-making team, drawn to the sweet aromas and flavors characteristic of the tea, used a combination of three cask types: American oak seasoned with sherry, European oak seasoned with sherry, and American oak previously used for bourbon maturation. The resulting expression delivers notes of peach, apricot, floral honey, tropical fruit, toffee, and sweet oak.
A Shared Commitment to Craft
Just as JING TEA sources its leaves directly from producers, The Macallan maintains oversight of every stage in its process — from collaborating with sherry makers in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, to sourcing oak timber from its own sawmills in America and Spain. Both partnerships reflect a shared dedication to quality, provenance, and craftsmanship that spans continents and centuries.
Jaume Ferras, Creative Director of The Macallan, described the collaboration:
"This collaboration with JING TEA celebrates the common ground between whisky and tea — two crafts deeply rooted in nature, tradition, and time. Working with JING TEA allowed us to explore new possibilities in flavor and storytelling."
Melanie Tricklebank, CEO of JING TEA, added:
"The unique terroir and craftsmanship of each tea's origin is a major source of inspiration for us. Our collaboration with The Macallan has been a wonderful coming together of shared values and traditions."
Inspired by Gong Fu Tea Ceremony
To celebrate the collaboration, The Macallan has drawn on the spirit of the traditional Gong Fu Tea Ceremony (工夫茶), rooted in eastern Guangdong Province. This tea culture is known for its meticulous techniques for drawing out the character of each leaf, and the communal enjoyment of flavors and aromas shared around a single table.
In keeping with the Harmony Collection's sustainability ethos, the packaging uses recycled tea leaves — a continuation of the series' philosophy of creating new beauty from natural materials.
Special Pairing Menu at The Macallan Karuizawa
The Macallan Karuizawa, a pop-up store that has been running since May 1, 2026, is introducing a special menu featuring a pairing of the Harmony Collection whisky with Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea. The menu invites guests to experience how the peach, apricot, and honey notes in both the tea and the whisky complement one another, exploring the craftsmanship shared by both through taste and aroma.
Special Pairing Menu Details:
- Period: June 13 (Sat) to October 31 (Sat), 2026, every Saturday and Sunday
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last entry 7:00 PM)
- Price: ¥4,000 (tax included)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likaman_karuizawa/
Venue:
The Macallan Karuizawa
Karuizawa Five, 712 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
Liquor Mountain Kyukaruizawa Ginza Store, 2F
Tel: 0267-42-5260
Product Details
The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea
- Release date: June 2, 2026
- Available at: Liquor retailers and online stores nationwide
- Suggested retail price: ¥38,500 (tax included)
- Alcohol content: 43.9%
Tasting Notes:
| Nose | Peach, apricot, floral honey, tropical fruit, toffee, sweet oak |
| Palate | Syrupy peach, warm citrus, delicate floral notes |
