The Macallan Edition No.1 (48%, OB, 2015)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: The Macallan Distillery
• Bottling: Edrington
• ABV: 48%
• Cost: £75

What they say:

The Macallan Edition No.1

The Macallan Edition No. 1 is the debut expression in the Edition Series. It celebrates The Macallan’s unparalleled oak cask management policy that oversees the entire process from wood sourcing, to finished, seasoned cask. It also showcases the profound influence of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks into the flavor of the whisky. The result is a bold single malt drawn from eight of the finest European and American oak cask styles and sizes, sherry-seasoned and aged to perfection before being combined to create this rich and multidimensional whisky.

The character of each cask style lives within the whisky, creating a taste journey that begins with soft oak notes and takes one’s palate to deeper, richer flavors. When married, these casks bring together a distinctive flavor profile that highlights The Macallan’s complexity and diversity. Bottled at a higher strength of 48% ABV for a fuller, richer flavor.

Colour

Honey

Nose

Orange, apple and dried fruit notes highlight a vibrant and rich aroma.

Palate

Meandering, warming, wood spices; takes time to open up and reveal nutmeg, cinnamon, hints of dried ginger and toffee. The fruit appears later – fresh and balanced with fresh oak

Finish

Medium to long and lingering

What I say:

Released towards the end of 2015 by The Macallan, this Edition No.1 is the first in an annual series of no-age statement bottlings. This edition was constructed to highlight the influences of wooden cask maturation, in this case the use of ex-sherry oak, mostly European though a little American White Oak was used in the variety of casks styles/sizes detailed on the packaging. I was saving up each of these with a view to sampling them together, however it being a decade since the great spirits writer Michael Jackson passed away – I thought it fitting to sample some of the whisky he called ‘the Rolls Royce of single malts’. See our views piece for more…

Appearance:

Bronzed copper gold (10/20) quick large droplet tears with long medium legs

Nose:

Dried fruit; raisins, prunes, figs, dates, dried cherries, damson, floral and spicy, reminded me of Viktor & Rolf’s Spicebomb aftershave in a good way, almonds, coconut, chocolate, vanilla, toffee apples & treacle toffee.

Taste:

Dried fruits, slightly waxy, deep and rich, medium-bodied, quite jammy this time, plum, damson, strawberry in addition to those o the nose like raisin and date, some baking spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove & mace, fresh coconut, green banana and woody oak.

Finish:

Long, prickly spices, treacle and a touch of burnt sugar

Overall:

A rather delicious Macallan expression with massive amounts of dried fruits and woody European oak. Perfect.

Score: 85/100

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