Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 40%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Sherry (first-fill and refill)
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Edrington Group
Average price: € 70.00
Official website: www.themacallan.com
Vote: 76/100
Macallan is one of the best-known and most respected distilleries in the broad Scottish landscape, for many people THE whisky par excellence.
A well-deserved reputation thanks to truly excellent bottlings in the past, and the management ability to impose its name with continuity over time.
Those who have had the opportunity to get to know that past, will tell you that the contemporary versions of their spirits pale in comparison to the historic ones, and that the aromatic complexities that distinguished the brand can only be found in the old bottles or in the most important (and expensive) ageings.
But you certainly can’t fault Macallan for not wanting to keep up with the times, both in terms of its brand new, ultra-modern headquarters (named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 places to visit in 2019) and the new lines that are constantly being released.
These include the 1824 series (the year the distillery was founded), launched between 2012 and 2013, replacing Fine Oak (considered by many to be a disaster), which featured four bottlings, all sherried, characterised by iridescent colouring depending on the influence of the casks used, with increasing colour intensity (and price). Macallan Gold, Amber, Sienna and Ruby were released.
A final bottle was also released, simply called The Macallan M, presented in an elegant decanter and with a prohibitive price tag.
Tasting notes
Here then is the Amber, the second most intense colour in the series, strictly without colouring agents (they say) and a beautiful light gold (no, not amber).
The nose is sweet and jammy. Vanilla, candied fruit, sultanas… a bit like approaching a cake, with a warm and delicate aroma. Not cloying, but nice and smooth.
The palate can only pick up on what has been perceived by the nose, with lots more vanilla, candied orange, butter… from the jam-like it passes to the pastry-like, with a pinch of wood and spices that peep out. Very smooth and flowing, without flashes but pleasant.
The finish is not very long, less sweet and more spicy, but still creamy.
A pleasant whisky, the kind you wouldn’t put in the Olympus of spirits but which is easy to drink. Those looking for strong sensations are better off staying away from it, all the others can enjoy it without too many pretensions. Moreover, it was reasonably priced until recently, but is now perhaps a little overpriced for what it offers.
Reviews of Macallan whisky in the blog
Other perspectives:
Wine Dharma