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Single malts Vibrant Oak and Guardian Oak spotlight wood’s role in flavor through a theatrical collaboration
In a pairing that underscores both spectacle and craftsmanship, The Macallan has unveiled the fourth release in its limited-edition Harmony Collection, a whisky series that celebrates natural elements and sustainable artistry. This year’s expression—launched in Manila on March 25—was created in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, marking a union of Scottish distilling heritage and boundary-pushing performance art.
Two new single malts, Harmony Vibrant Oak and Harmony Guardian Oak, anchor this year's release, each one matured in different oak cask profiles to emphasize the character that wood imparts on flavor, aroma, and color.
“Oak plays such an important role in the color and flavor of The Macallan, and bringing it to life through our packaging is incredibly inspirational,” said Diane Stuart, Whisky Maker at The Macallan. “Vibrant Oak and Guardian Oak provided an opportunity to select the casks that deliver the classic characteristics of our two key wood types, sherry seasoned American oak and sherry seasoned European oak casks.”
The collaboration finds its roots in Cirque du Soleil SPIRIT, a nature-inspired immersive experience that debuted earlier this year at The Macallan Estate in Speyside. The show—equal parts visual poem and theatrical tribute—culminated in a performance around an oak tree, symbolizing the brand’s enduring relationship with nature and craftsmanship.
Vibrant Oak, available in domestic retail, was matured in a blend of first-fill American oak and second-fill sherry seasoned casks. The whisky delivers bright, nuanced notes of vanilla, lime, apple, and toasted almonds. The nose opens with “intense vanilla bean accompanied by sweet sherbet and lime zest,” and deepens into “fragrant pears nestled in delicate vanilla sponge cake.” On the palate, it expresses “creamy vanilla panna cotta, buttery shortbread, lightly toasted coconut,” and finishes with lingering sweetness and soft oak.
Guardian Oak, designed exclusively for global travel retail, draws its complexity from European oak casks. It carries bolder, richer notes—dates, orange peel, baking spices, and dark chocolate. The nose reveals “rich dried fruits of dates, figs and raisins mingle with orange peel, dark chocolate and hints of warming nutmeg.” A sip leads to “sticky ginger syrup sweetness and a burst of orange,” culminating in a long, warming finish laced with star anise and seasoned oak.
Both whiskies are bottled at 44.2% ABV and presented in eco-conscious packaging that reflects the Harmony Collection’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Oak chippings—a by-product of the cask-making process—were repurposed for the bottle labels and presentation boxes.
The design language of each bottle links directly to characters from Cirque du Soleil SPIRIT. The Vibrant Oak packaging features Ayla, a dynamic figure depicted within the branches of an American oak tree, accented with golden hues and peacock feathers. Guardian Oak, in contrast, showcases Davonna nestled among European oak, her image rendered in deep purples that allude to wisdom and maturity.
More than a whisky release, the Harmony Collection’s fourth edition is a sensory meditation on time, transformation, and the intersection of craft and imagination. It also coincides with The Macallan’s 200th anniversary, a milestone that reflects two centuries of distilling excellence rooted in Speyside, Scotland.
For those seeking a dram that blends story with substance—where every sip reveals the layered dialogue between nature and human artistry—Harmony Vibrant Oak and Guardian Oak offer just that.
Visit themacallan.com for more information or to join The Macallan Society.
