Category Archives: Macallan
Macallan 12yo
Whisky: The Macallan 12yo, 43%
R500 ≈ £41
When it comes to sherry influenced whiskies, few brands can compete with the reputation of The Macallan’s sherry oak range, which is matured exclusively in Spanish oak casks from Jerez, Spain. The 12yo is the entry level whisky in this range with the famous (and pricey) 18yo next in line.
Nose: A moist ginger and date loaf with the sweetness of the sherry rich and evident. A subtle but complex array of spices are present, including cloves, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Plump raisens, soft oak, and an intricate lace of wood smoke complete the bouquet.
Taste: There is no fooling about here, this is full-bodied, rich and beautifully rounded, smooth and buttery. All the promise of the nose is realised with generous amounts of spice, sherry sweetness, oak and dark fruits, all balanced to precision. The sweetness is honeyed with hints of molasses, mixed berries and toffee.
Finish: The warming ginger and cinnamon outlast the rest of the spice pack, while the buttery smoothness refuses to relinquish it’s grasp making the finish last and last. And if that isn’t enough, notes of dark chocolate and coffee make an added, albeit shy, appearance.
My Score: 86
This “simple” Macallan 12yo is the reason why the distillery deserves to be held in such high regard. It’s rich and complex while all the time remaining soft and balanced. Wonderful whisky, and quite possible as good as a general release, 12yo sherried whisky can be.
Macallan Whisky Maker’s Edition
Whisky: The Macallan Whisky Maker’s Edition NAS, 42.8%
± £70 ≈ R865 (Unavailable in SA)
The Macallan 1824 Collection is exclusive to travel retail and consists of four whiskies, each telling a story of the distillery’s history. This expression has apparently been crafted by The Macallan whisky maker for his personal enjoyment and uses both ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks. Judging from the colour there’s a lot more sherry influence here, and since that’s what The Macallan are famous for, I’m looking forward to this.
Nose: Plenty of the typical sherry fruit along with apple and oranges, as well as the usual sherry spices including nutmeg and clove. A very moreish ginger and nut biscuit among the rich oak lined with sweet toffee and honey. The depth indicates some well aged casks, but although the flavours are here, the integration isn’t.
Taste: Lots more fruit, nutmeg and ginger among the aged smoothness with the subtler sweet notes persisting. A serious kick of pepper at the end of the palette. Unfortunately I’m still finding it disjointed.
Finish: A medium finish with the spice resonating well after the liquid is gone. Notes of charred oak and a slight hint of dark chocolate. Some serious heat burning-up here.
My Score: 78
I’m disappointed. Although there are nuances here akin to the highly regarded sherried Macallans (like the 18yo), it’s unbalanced and not the usual refined experience I expect from the distillery. I even found the less-sherried Select Oak expression from the same series moderately better. Macallan can do sherry better than this without doubt.
Other Scores: JH 83
Macallan Select Oak
Whisky: The Macallan Select Oak NAS, 40%
£45 ≈ R515
The Macallan 1824 Collection was released in 2009 exclusively for Travel Retail (duty-free). The range consists of four NAS whiskies: Select Oak, Whisky Maker’s Edition, Estate Reserve, and the 1824 Limited Release decanter. Unusual names for a range of whiskies, but according to the packaging, each expression is meant to tell a story about The Macallan’s history. Points for originality. This expression is matured in both American and Spanish oak casks.
Nose: Gentle and caressing. Soft vanilla sweetness and mild toasted oak. A suggestion of spice.
Taste: The packaging says extraordinarily smooth, and I can’t deny it. This may be the easiest whisky to drink I’ve ever tried. It does have a presence, but every millimeter of it is ethereal.
Finish: The spice resurfaces with a little more intensity, and it’s a good thing too; else it would be easy to forget you’ve just had a drink. The liquid then fades slowly and gently, just as it entered.
My Score: 80
This is an understated drink if there ever was one. The entire experience is soft and gentle as if it were an exercise in delicacy. I think it lacks in flavor on the palette, but it seems to do so consciously and thus is not worse-off for it. In fact, it is unique for it.
Scores: JH 85
