Matured in a high proportion of first-fill sherry seasoned European and American oak casks, this superb 18 Year Old single malt pays tribute to Highland Park's 5 keystones of production and presents a sophisticated medley of ripe cherries dusted with bittersweet cocoa, freshly harvested honeycomb and candied orange peel. There’s a whisper of Orkney’s salty seaspray in the aromatic peat smoke.
Winter spice and treacle, hints of white pepper and a little citrus. Rich and full with notes of wood smoke and dry spice, hints of barley and cereal with creamy toffee and a distinct herbal note. Quite fruity and long with a note of sultanas and mixed peels.
Fragrant with good body. Notes of oak, crisp spice, dried fruit, pastries. Berry fruits, aniseed, hints of cedar, a touch of spice and citrus. Supple and balanced. Good toffee and hints of very wistful smoke. Chocolate, hints of grass and a good hit of malt. Floral, oaky, good length, urged on by a plume of very well-kept, highland style smoke. Dried fruit, spice, honey.
Fragrant wood smoke and peaches combine with honey and barley scent to make the depth on the nose pronounced. Viscous and slight spice combine with a light flavour of peach and vanilla pod. To finish the smoke makes another appearance and the lingering taste of stewed peach.
Palate Very thick and rich. A massive mouthful of malt and Sherry with good fruity sweetness, but also a wonderful sweetness. Big, powerful peat and oak. Finish Long, spicy finish, figs, dates, peat smoke, vanilla.
On the nose a rich peaty smoke with slight saline seaweed. To taste the initial smoky nature is in the forefront with a seaweed undertone, a surprising sweetness that lingers in the finish. To some extent this is the quintessential Islay malt.
Vanilla with hints of ginger, dried fruits, sherry sweetness and wood smoke. Deliciously smooth, with rich dried fruits and sherry, balanced with wood smoke and spice. Sweet toffee, dried fruits, lingering wood smoke and spice.
On the palate, this dram is a spicy bomb in the foreground, drying slowly the palate. It highlights black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Then it evolves to the sweeter side, full of vanilla and raisins. It is lighter than expected, with orange sponge cake and baked apple notes. There are intense drying oak flavors, and light almond notes. The finish is long and dry, highlighting nutmeg and a fresh touch of ginger.
It's a smooth, sherry-forward, easy drinker of elegance and style. It won't overpower your palate, it's sweet and not too spicy, full bodied and rich- everything you look for in a special occasion whisky to be shared with friends and colleagues. It's a bit overpriced for my liking, but that's Macallan
Smelling this whisky is incredible! Citrus fruit and fudge come to the forefront with a delicate malt in the undertones. The palate is smooth, seriously smooth. Fudge and citrus balance well with malt that rolls around the mouth like syrup. A slightly spicy finish with layered honey and a touch of vanilla.
Bottled at an impeccable 43% ABV, this 2023 release in the Rare Cask series is a testament to the Macallan Distillery's unwavering dedication to quality and tradition. The Macallan Rare Cask 2023 Release is crafted from the finest and rarest sherry-seasoned oak casks, meticulously selected to deliver The Macallan’s full-bodied character. Each cask is chosen for its exceptional richness and depth, imparting a symphony of flavours that define this exquisite whisky. The careful curation of European and American sherry-seasoned oak casks results in a whisky of unparalleled richness and sophistication.