Scotch whisky and tea seamlessly unite in The Macallan’s Harmony V Collection, two new limited-edition expressions in collaboration with JING Tea.
For thousands of years, the Chinese have been making tea. Legend has it that it began as medicine in the Shang dynasty and served only the royal houses of the great emperors. Over time, the practice became so beloved that it found its way into every household across the country, and from there, its influence quietly spread across the world.
On another continent, a similar story was unfolding. In medieval Scotland, friars began distilling what would later evolve into Scotch whisky. The craft was handed down from church to farmlands, and eventually from one generation to the next. Later, Scotland’s great distilleries would refine it until they created what many discerning enthusiasts now call “liquid gold.”
So, what do tea and whisky have in common? More than you might expect. Both start with humble ingredients from the land, which are transformed into something far more complex and layered. Both carry their own rituals, philosophies, and celebratory traditions. But the real thread that connects them is craftsmanship. Each is shaped by artisans who master their work and approach it with a sense of reverence usually reserved for ceremony.
These crafts have been polished over centuries with patience and precision. In many ways, tea and scotch share a language built on time, intention, and artistry. That shared language leads us here, to something created in honor of heritage and craft: the fifth expression in The Macallan’s Harmony Collection in collaboration with JING Tea.
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The Macallan Is Liquid Gold
Founded in 1824 by barley farmer and schoolteacher Alexander Reid, The Macallan distillery has long been associated with top-tier single malt whiskies. Its origins already hinted at greatness. The name was originally “Maghellan,” taken from the Gaelic word “magh,” meaning fertile ground, and “ellen,” referring to St. Fillan, the legendary Irish monk known for miracles and healing. He was closely connected to the church that once stood on The Macallan Estate until around 1400. In the surrounding area, farmers would use their surplus barley to produce whisky, treating it as both livelihood and craft.
Over the centuries, this humble farmers’ drink evolved into a prized spirit for those who appreciate the finest the world has to offer. That transformation is largely thanks to generations of hardworking craftspeople at the distillery, including the Macallan Master of Wood. This expert ensures that every product leaving the estate meets The Macallan’s exacting standards and remarkable consistency.
You might wonder why there’s a Master of Wood in the first place. While high-quality barley, pure water, and the right yeast are essential to creating a refined single malt scotch, the wood ultimately takes center stage at The Macallan. The whisky’s character, depth, and golden-brown signature color come from the sherry-seasoned oak casks it ages in. The Master of Wood oversees every part of this process, ensuring each cask is properly sourced, impeccably crafted, and carefully maintained. The result is a whisky shaped by time, technique, and a sacred respect for the natural materials that define it.
As one of the most celebrated creators of “liquid gold,” The Macallan later introduced The Harmony Collection, an annual limited release that honors the company’s 200-year history and deep connection to nature. In recent years, the distillery has collaborated on special expressions with partners who not only share its values and dedication to craftsmanship but also its deep love for the natural world. These have resulted in beautiful partnerships with like-minded innovators such as Cirque du Soleil, as well as Stella and Mary McCartney.
The fifth and latest collaborator is JING Tea, a British-founded tea company that meticulously sources leaves all over the world, from remote provinces in China to the high peaks of the Himalayas. Since 2004, JING Tea has earned a reputation as a premier curator of single garden tea, known for exceptional quality, storytelling, and reverence toward traditions of the craft—very much in the same spirit as The Macallan and its iconic Scotch whisky.
Through this partnership, The Macallan and JING Tea bring together the storied histories and practices of single malt and single garden tea, creating a whisky that honors heritage while offering a distinctly modern expression of luxury.
A Showcase Of Two Worlds
For the Harmony V, the two companies celebrate their shared values with two limited-edition expressions. The first, Inspired by Phoenix Honey Orchid Tea, pays tribute to the rare and aromatic oolong varietal grown on the Phoenix Mountain range in Guangdong, China. Its flavor is remarkably distinctive, shaped predominantly in Sherry-seasoned American oak casks, with additional depth from Sherry-seasoned European oak and subtle notes from American oak casks that previously held bourbon. The result is an inviting, summery profile of peach, apricot, floral honey, tropical fruits, toffee, and sweet oak, all wrapped in a deep, warm honey hue that reflects the elegance and complexity of this exquisite whisky.
The second expression, Inspired by Organic Cherrywood Lapsang, draws inspiration from a reinvented Lapsang Souchong. Normally smoke-dried over a pinewood fire, this iteration of the black tea is instead delicately smoked over cherrywood in the UK. This exclusive Global Travel Retail release delivers a richly rewarding experience, featuring the distinctive flavors of organic cherrywood Lapsang tea. It is primarily matured in Sherry-seasoned European oak casks, with added complexity from carefully selected Sherry-seasoned American oak casks, resulting in a whisky that’s at once bold and elegantly layered.
For the 2025 Harmony Collection, the presentation boxes for both whiskies are made from repurposed tea leaves. By using materials that would otherwise go to waste, the design reflects the collection’s commitment to sustainability. Both whiskies encourage tasting their unique flavors, which can be enhanced by adding a little water.
However, what’s most striking is how The Macallan and JING Tea have translated their respective artistry into two products that feel utterly cohesive, despite originating from entirely different worlds. Each focuses on its unique strengths, yet together, they reveal the full potential of whisky and tea through flavor, creativity, and thoughtfully designed presentation.
This collaboration is a testament to the two companies’ shared commitment to excellence as much as it is a tribute to their expertise and proud lineage. JING’s dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients aligns perfectly with The Macallan’s fastidious approach to whisky-making, resulting in a partnership that opens a new, innovative chapter in both brands’ histories.
The Macallan Harmony V collection, in collaboration with JING Tea, is priced at PHP 17,480 and is available at S&R and other major retailers.
Photos courtesy of The Macallan, unless specified.
