The Macallan Edition No.2 (48.2%, OB, 2016)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: The Macallan Distillery
• Bottling: Edrington
• ABV: 48.2%
• Cost: £76.83

What they say:

The Macallan Edition No.2

The second release from the Macallan Edition series is a collaboration between Master Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno and the three brothers behind El Celler de Can Roca (named Best Restaurant in the World twice by Restaurant magazine). This single malt was drawn from a combination of European and American oak casks.

Colour

Golden Syrup

Nose

Treacle, ginger, toffee apples and rich fruits. Layers of vanilla open into tropical fruits and subtle green wood.

Palate

Warm with spice as cracked black pepper and cloves join with hints of chocolate, brown sugar, oak and nuts. Finally, liquorice and brandy snaps come through.

Finish

Full, slow, warm and wonderfully viscous.

What I say:

Released towards the end of 2016 by The Macallan, this Edition No.2 is the second in an annual series of no-age statement bottlings. This edition was constructed in collaboration between Bob Dalgarno from The Macallan and the restauranteur’s behind the award-winning El Celler de Can Roca. 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:

Orange amber (12/20) large quick tears, some slower medium tears leave fine legs

Nose:

Sugary toffee and fudge, Demerara/brown sugar, oak wood, creamy coffee, hints of raisins, coffee cream chocolates, mocha coffee, tiramisu with some syrupy sweetness.

Taste:

Sweetened camp coffee with honey, chicory leaf, rocket, toffee, dried fruits, fig, prune, raisin, cinnamon, woody tannins, waxy, ginger, herbal lemongrass, wholemeal or granary bread toasted, with water sweetened oranges or orange juice.

Finish:

Medium, sweet and spiced/herbal, peppery, cinnamon buns/loaf ginger & orange marmalade

Overall:

Coffee, tiramisu, oranges, what’s not to like? Despite the summary it isn’t particularly sweet or dessert-like. There is a lot of savoury and herbal elements contained within too which keeps things interesting.

Score: 84/100

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