Cover Steven Bremner, whisky maker for The Macallan
Steven Bremner, whisky maker for The Macallan
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Steven Bremner has been involved in the second and third editions of The Macallan Harmony Collection—with the recent Harmony Collection Amber Meadow and Green Meadow, crafted in partnership with Stella and Mary McCartney
As a whisky maker at The Macallan, Steven Bremner works as part of the Whisky Mastery Team to create and enhance The Macallan’s exceptional portfolio of single malt whiskies and to drive forward the brand’s legacy for the future.
Having joined Edrignton back in 2016 as a sampling supervisor, Bremner has worked closely with the Whisky Mastery and Whisky Stock teams to ensure a high-quality, compliant service in the sampling room. Then, in 2017, he was made an apprentice whisky maker, where he played a key role in supporting The Macallan whisky makers in producing a high-quality and consistent product. He was also responsible for liquid and cask quality assessment and maintaining efficient and compliant sample movements. He eventually came into the whisky maker role in 2018.
Bremner has been involved in both the second and third editions of The Macallan Harmony Collection. The recent Harmony Collection Amber Meadow and Green Meadow, crafted in collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney, celebrate the lands of Scotland that connect all those who have stood upon them for generations to craft two incomparable single malts.
See also: The Macallan’s Harmony Colection: An ode to Scottish grasslands by Stella and Mary McCartney
Above Bremner joined the distillery back in 2016
Bremner joined the distillery back in 2016
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Bremner was drawn to the whisky making because of the processes behind it. Having obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Glasgow Caledonian University before achieving a Postgraduate Diploma in Maintenance Systems Engineering & Management, Bremner’s desire to continually learn is what fuels him. “My desire to understand and continually learn about the entire process drew me to whisky making. This is an art, and unlike anything experienced before, so my natural curiosity, along with the attention to detail that goes into creating The Macallan, inspired my involvement, along with long conversations in the sample room around the sensory process. It was an art as much as a science, there were no guides, notes or instructions, it was pure sensory and creativity,” he shared.
Bremner then explains more about the process behind the latest Harmony Collection release. “The process of creating the whisky focused on the scents prevalent in Scotland in spring and summer. Scotland is rich in aroma, with beautiful scents emerging and evolving all year round. The burst of life in spring as the countryside awakes from its winter slumber releases a sensorial abundance of character that becomes rich and heady as it moves into spring, which is reflected in the Amber Meadow. The Scottish countryside is full of the aroma of coconut from the flowering Gorse bushes, malty barley notes, citrus from a multitude of meadow flowers, and honeysuckle, whose aroma is timed to release in the warm evenings to attract moths for pollination.”
Don’t miss: The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao brings the worlds of chocolate and whisky to life
Above The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow
The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow
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Mary McCartney was invited to the Macallan estate by Jaume Ferràs, the brand’s global creative director, to shoot a portrait of Sir Peter for The Macallan Anecdotes of Ages Collection. During that visit, a wider collaboration was discussed that would be joint with Stella and Mary McCartney around a project to design a range of bar accessories. “The McCartney sisters’ love of Scotland goes back decades. Our partnership marks a first for Stella and Mary, coming together in a creative union. This debut joint venture is not only a chance for them to combine their creative talents but also collaborate on a project that allows them to reminisce and celebrate their memories of Scotland,” explains Bremner of how the sisters got involved in the project.
Bremner was truly inspired by nature and Stella and Mary’s love for Scotland and was honoured to represent the project. “The focus on meadows is inspired by The McCartney sisters’ love of Scotland, which stems from their memories of summer days in amber fields at the family farm in the Scottish countryside and their time spent at The Macallan Estate. To mark this deep connection with the land, the presentation boxes and bottle labels have been made using discarded meadow cuttings embracing the re-use of natural materials to create beauty from resources at the end of their lives,” he added.
Above The sustainable label and packaging made using discarded meadow cuttings
Above The packaging also showcases the flavour profile of the subtle whisky
The sustainable label and packaging made using discarded meadow cuttings
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The third rendition of The Macallan Harmony Collection, features two labels. The Amber Meadow has a natural colour of a summer evening and an ABV of 44.2 per cent, this single malt whisky is characterised by its rich yet refreshing oak flavour. The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow brings to the nose aromas of honeysuckle, vanilla and ripe barley fields. On the palate is a pleasing combination of the same, with additional zing from lemon and orange notes, almond and green tea.
On the other hand, The Macallan Harmony Collection Green Meadow, a travel retail exclusive, has a natural colour of spring morning and an ABV of 40.2 per cent, this single malt whisky is characterised by a fresh, fruity flavour with prominent notes of fresh orange and lemon, petrichor, honeydew melon, and bluebells. On the plate, rich lemon, barley sugars, creamy vanilla, almonds and fresh oak.
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If tall, dark and handsome is what you're looking for, Aaron Pereira ticks two out of three. This fine chocolate man (that is, a connoisseur of fine chocolate), enjoys the theatre, futsal, real-life conversations and of course, the English language. He believes that language should first be used to express, but the business of a sub-editor is to impress.
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