The first in a new series, "The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao," which focuses on The Macallan brand's desire to "live in harmony with nature," a philosophy that has continued for approximately 200 years, and its progress in sustainability, was released in limited quantities on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.

To coincide with its launch in Japan, Isetan Shinjuku has collaborated with Pierre Hermé Paris. Whisky expert Taichi Sasaki, who has a deep understanding of rich cocoa with its unique flavor, and Richard Ledoux, the Japan representative of Pierre Hermé Paris, a renowned figure in the world of chocolate, will converse to find the perfect pairing of whisky and chocolate for a new sensation.

A unique whiskey that expresses a world where chocolate and whiskey resonate with each other.

The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao, the first in The Macallan's "Harmony Collection," was released in limited quantities. Polly Logan, Macallan's whisky maker, discovered a unique "flavor" when she visited a chocolate factory in Girona, Spain, to study the manufacturing process.

Based on that experience, we searched The Macallan's aging warehouses for a rare and luxurious "chocolate-scented spirit," and collaborated with Jordi Roca, a renowned pastry chef at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain, to create a whisky that offers a luxurious experience, perfectly harmonizing the rich aroma and taste of chocolate.

In addition to its unique character, Rich Cacao uses cacao husks for its packaging and label, resulting in 100% recyclable, biodegradable, and sustainable packaging. This prestigious distillery, with nearly 200 years of Scotch history, is embracing sustainability as a company, staying true to current trends.

The Macallan, which insists on managing every aspect of its barrel production, from wood selection to barrel making, has created Rich Cacao, a new spirit born from its commitment to "innovation and sustainability" in addition to its harmony with nature. It's a new kind of alcohol that brings together the worlds of whiskey and chocolate.

Whiskey and chocolate experts select the best pairings.

The most enjoyable way to pair Rich Cacao, with its striking roasted cocoa bean color, with chocolate is to first take a sip of the Rich Cacao and savor the aroma of the chocolate it contains. Next, take a bite of the chocolate and appreciate the unique combination of flavors, then take another sip of the Rich Cacao for the perfect finish.

Taichi Sasaki and Richard Ledoux are faced with Pierre Hermé Paris chocolates, where one bite reveals a captivating sparkle, smooth flavor, powerful aroma, and the delightful texture of a delicate coating. These experts in whiskey and chocolate search for the "final selection = best pairing" from a carefully curated list of chocolates.



1. Bitter chocolate "Intense" x Rich Cacao

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Richard Ledoux (hereinafter, Richard): To enjoy this delicious whiskey with rich cocoa, I spent about three hours trying out different pairings to select the best candidates. First, please try our fully bitter chocolate, "Intense." The fruity notes of the rich cocoa match perfectly with the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture of Intense.




Taichi Sasaki (hereinafter, Sasaki) : The softness of the ganache in "Intense" pairs exceptionally well with the whiskey. It's不思議 (mysterious) how the stronger the sweetness of the chocolate, the more pronounced the oaky aroma unique to The Macallan comes through. I recommend drinking it "straight" to bring out the fruity notes of the rich cocoa.

It pairs well with the deep, rich aroma of Richard Rich Cacao's dark chocolate.




2. Praline "Infiniment Praline Amande" x Rich Cacao

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Next up is Richard's "Infiniment Praliné Amande," a praline with coarsely crushed almonds. Almonds are a classic flavor, but the texture and everything else about it pairs perfectly with the rich cocoa.

Sasaki: This is perfect, a truly luxurious flavor. The almonds have the aroma of shells and wood, and the rich cocoa also has a strong woody aroma, so the crunchy texture of the almonds that hits your nose is fantastic.

Do you have any recommendations for how to drink Richard ?

Sasaki: If you want to enjoy the nutty flavor of this chocolate, "twice up" is the perfect way to go.



3. Ganache "Paineiras" x Rich Cacao

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The third Richard chocolate is the classic "Paineiras," a ganache made with Brazilian chocolate and 64% Brazilian cocoa.

Sasaki: What are the characteristics of Brazilian cacao?

Compared to other South American wines like Richard , this one is fruitier.

Sasaki: It has a strong, mature red fruit flavor, and it's a perfect match for rich cocoa. When you taste it "straight," the berry notes you get in the latter half of the chocolate are even more pronounced.



4. Nougatine "Shock Chocolat" x Rich Cacao

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Richard , next up is "Choc Chocolat," a chocolate ganache with nougatine. The cocoa is from South America and is used for the coating.

Sasaki : This chocolate has a strong, natural flavor. It gives you a strange feeling, almost like you're eating cake.

Because it's coated with Richard , you can also enjoy its melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Sasaki: I'd like to pour the Rich Cacao over the chocolate while it's still in my mouth. The Rich Cacao is slightly sweeter, so I think it's a good idea to drink it "on the rocks" to reduce the sweetness.



5. Praline "Ouvre Trois" x Rich Cacao

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The fifth and final recommendation from Richard is the sesame praline "Ouvre-toi." It uses roasted sesame seeds.

Sasaki: This is a truly amazing flavor. The texture and chewiness of the sesame seeds go perfectly with the highball. You can also enjoy the nougat-like feel.

Richard, for this "Ouvre Toi," we've used bitter chocolate to complement the rich cocoa.



Which of the five options do you prefer, Richard Sasaki?

Eating chocolate while listening to Richard Sasaki's stories makes it taste even better, but if I had to choose one best, I'd say "Intense." All five varieties I selected are unique, and they offer a variety of ways to enjoy rich cocoa.

Enjoy "Collaboration Chocolates" by changing the way you drink them.

"The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao" is a luxurious blend of whiskies, carefully selected from the aging cellars to produce only those that emit a chocolate aroma. We have chosen chocolates from Pierre Hermé Paris' exquisite collection that perfectly complement this rare whisky.

Please enjoy the "perfect marriage" of five specially selected flavors and whiskey created specifically for chocolate.

Sales method

We will be holding a lottery sale for the "The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao" whiskey and Pierre Hermé Paris collaboration chocolate set (33,500 yen including tax).

■Application Process

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Application period: November 3, 2022 (Thursday) 10:00 AM to November 7, 2022 6:00 PM
• Lottery results: Winners will be notified after noon on Wednesday, November 16th.
Only winners will receive a payment URL (including the total amount for the item and shipping) via SMS (short message) from Mitsukoshi Isetan. Please be sure to make the payment within the payment deadline. Please note that if payment is not made within the deadline, the order will be cancelled.

Please note that the lottery sale is limited to existing MI Card holders or those who apply for a new MI Card via the URL below.
[MI Card Application] URL: https://www1.micard.co.jp/apply/micardapply/kiyaku?cpn_cd=1078&init_select=1

If you have an MI Card, please have your "Customer Number" (10 digits printed on the bottom of your card) ready. If you do not have an MI Card, please have the application number (11 digits) from the membership completion email you receive after joining MI Card via the URL above ready, and then apply using the application form below.

Apply for the lottery sale here.
Please note that applications submitted via any URL other than the one provided below will be considered invalid.
[Lottery Sale Application] URL: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=9TIhKuOGm0CPQXlb6dQ2XIrOqW-7oTxPjwFzoOfV15dUN0dGNjBGTEtDTE81MjVCR0E3NE5aTEJQUy4u

■Notes

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*Please be sure to complete the procedure within the application period.

*We cannot answer questions regarding whether you were selected or not.
*Only one entry per person is allowed. Multiple entries will be disqualified from the drawing.
*Please note that we cannot resell the item after a cancellation, regardless of the reason.
*The set price plus shipping fees will apply.
*Payment is only accepted via MI Card, other credit cards, and MI Friends Club.
*Not sold separately.
*This item will be delivered via refrigerated shipping.
*After payment is received, we will ship your order as soon as it is ready.
*Delivery is for personal use only. We cannot accept orders for gifts.
*We cannot accept requests for specific delivery dates or times.
*We do not offer in-store pickup.
*We are unable to provide information regarding the limited number of sets available.
Location: Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 8th Floor, Isetan Men's Residence

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