As you might have noticed the market for Macallan has gone absolutely bonkers. We can’t get old Macallan on the shelf for under $2000 and young Macallan is completely unavailable. In fact, over the years we’ve only bottled one other young Macallan and it was likewise not named. But this is the first and only sherried Macallan we’ve ever had the honor to put our mark on. I have no clue why the distillery is divesting stocks, especially those aged in ex-sherry (even refill). We hear grumblings that the distillery needs cashflow for the extremely expensive new distillery that they’ve built. Seems unlikely. Perhaps there are cracks in the crown, but there’s no question the worldwide clamoring for the great malts from this Speyside master continues. And of course, the distillery name cannot be used on the labels, but when we saw this beautiful second fill sherry butt in the Signatory warehouse, they didn’t need to say a word. We knew immediately where it came from. Further confirmed after one tiny whiff from the barrel. Now this is a big boy. High proof, powerful malt, that does need some water to coax out of its shell. One of the most astounding and obvious examples of this special distillery’s supremacy. The sherry is there, but the malt stands tall. Unctuous, inviting, complex and unabashed. Truly one of the world’s great spirits, on full display like we’ve never been able to offer before.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 26, 2019
To get an idea of how absolutely unusual it is for us to find a cask of Macallan in sherry to sell as an exclusive: this is literally the first time in a decade of selecting single casks that we’ve ever offered Macallan aged in sherry. Our teaspooned cask of William Hepburn three years ago was of course aged in ex-bourbon hoggies, as were the very expensive and older ones we’ve occasionally acquired as a thank-you from our best suppliers. Usually if it’s available it’s so outrageously priced we can’t even conceive of a world where our customers would consider paying a premium at, or above, the ridiculous premium the distillery already charges. So we were extremely excited to taste this gorgeous butt when our guide brought us into the warehouse. This will most closely resemble the highly sought-after Classic Cut offering that’s now popular in terms of its style, but of course we’ve got an older, single cask, and higher proof. The nose initially is punchy and full of dark malt, fudge, praline, hints of flint, and stone fruit. With air, more of the sherry character comes out, with a little bit of nutty oloroso aromatic framing the bold malt nicely. On the palate, sweet biscuits; very textured and rich, almost chocolatey finish. But this whisky at full strength is simply hidden, packed with quality, but slightly monotone. Now add water, not just a drop, but enough to see a little bit of cloudiness develop as the oils coalesce. Now we’re truly in rarefied air. The nose is now this absolutely pristine expression of exotic fruits: kiwi, passion fruit, jujubes, quince, candied lemon peel, and nougat. On the palate, the dark malt is gone and replaced with candied nuts, creamy custard, hints of lemon oil and anise. It somehow gains weight and texture with water. So if you’re one of those people that refuses to water down your whisky for whatever reason, than you should skip this. If you love to add water and experience a whisky in its many chimeric forms, then you’ll fall in love just like I did.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 24, 2019
One of the many advantages of selecting casks in Scotland instead of from shipped samples is that you sometimes get a behind the scenes peak at things. This unnamed Speyside had the remnants of the distillery’s paperwork left stuck on the side of the cask. The scrap of paper just read “llan.” More than enough supporting evidence for the rich, unctuous nose – especially when paired with classic sherry notes. Big, rich, and oily, this baby truly sings with the addition of a little water. Take it a notch back from the 63.4% cask strength ABV and release gobs of burnt orange peel, candied stone fruit, and the underlying malt base for the drinking experience you always wish you could have with the standard Macallan 12.
Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 12, 2019
If you havent already grabbed a bottle of this, nows the time. Clocking in at over 120 proof, this bad boy packs a big punch, but not in the overly fumy, jet fuel kind of way. It’s big and expressive on the nose, and I was able to pick up warm and inviting notes of dried fig, chocolate chip cookie dough, black plums, sweet tobacco, and the tiniest bit of cherry brine (pickled cherries are awesome). This is the type of Scotch I want to drink sitting next to a fire in a ski chalet after a day of shredding some gnar pow-pow. The palate was hot and silky (prior to adding water) and offered flavors of brandied cherries, toffee, and mild roasted coffee. The addition of water mellows out some of the heat but leaves all the texture and starts to lead more into chocolate and fruit flavors while the finish remains nice and long with oak spice, plum jam, and chocolate covered cherries. Definitely a bottle Ill be picking up for myself and something that would make a great gift with the holidays right around the corner.
