Buyer's Guide

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96 Macallan 1976 Vintage, 29 year old, cask #11354, 45.4%, $1,500
Classic sherry cask-aged Macallan. Antique amber with hints of ruby. Thickly textured, complex, and quite deep, with notes of toffee, ripe pit fruit, raisin, apple pie, dried spice (cinnamon, clove, ginger, and mint), and a wisp of smoke. An exceptional, multi-faceted Macallan!
(1st Quarter 2008 Issue-Vol. 17#1)


94 The Macallan Fine Oak 17 year old, 43%, $120
Another of the Fine Oak series (aged in both bourbon and sherry casks), which will debut in the U.S. in March. Of the five Fine Oak expressions that will be in the U.S. (10, 15, 17, 21, and 30 year old), this is my favorite, slightly besting the 15 year old. Lovely sweet notes (creamy vanilla, light toffee, marshmallow, shortbread, and a kiss of honey) are accompanied by bright fruit (multi-layered citrus) and potpourri of dried spices, along with a hint of nut and wisp of smoke. A very refined and sophisticated whisky.
(1st Quarter 2006 Issue-Vol. 15#1)


93 The Macallan (50 year old, 43)
Amber-chestnut color. Aromas are very mature and so thick, one almost needs a knife to cut it. Notes of dried fruit (orange, lemons, pineapple) and wood spices (especially clove), with more than a suggestion of peat smoke. Thick, enveloping texture-like a warm coat on a bitterly cold day. Very mature. One can easily deduce this is a very old whisky-the woodiness is evident on the palate. But it is not in excess. There's plenty of dried fruit, enticing wood spices, and peat to keep the palate entertained, all the way through to its very long, dry finish.

Style: Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Price: approximately $3,500. Availability: extremely limited (imported by Remy Amerique, 212-399-4200).

Only three casks from 1949 were selected, with each one contributing its own personality. It is presented in a Caithness Glass Decanter and oak presentation box. It not a question of whether you will like the whisky, but rather whether you can afford it.
(3rd Quarter 2000 Issue-Vol. 9#3)


92 The Macallan (15 year old, 43%)
Solid amber color. Flavors are seamless, silky smooth, and rich, with notes of dried fruit and flowers, toffee, subtle spices, and delicate nuts. A great after dinner malt, but universal enough to drink anytime.

Style: Speyside single malt scotch. Price: low $50s. Available nationwide. Imported by Remy Amerique, 212/399-4200.

This new expression helps to fill in the demand for the company's 18 year old, which is in short supply these days. And while I still prefer the 18 (what's not to like, right?), this new 15 year old does a fine showing, and Macallan enthusiasts should be pleased with the outcome.
(1st Quarter 2000 Issue-Vol. 9#1)


92 The Macallan (1961 Vintage, 54.1%)
Deep amber color. Complex aromas of lush fruit (orange, lemon, red currant) and oak spices (cinnamon, clove, and licorice). Rich, silky body. Great balance and depth of flavor, with complex fruit and wood spices similar to its aroma all wrapped in toffee and vanilla fudge. Very long, evolving, and satisfying finish.

Style: Speyside single malt scotch. Price: approximately $1,000. Available in extremely limited quantities nationwide (imported by Remy Amerique, 212/399-4200).

Surely one of the year's better malt whiskies. A wonderful whisky, even by Macallan's standards. Bottling at cask strength is the icing on the cake. Not to be missed by any fan of Macallan or other sherried whiskies.
(3rd Quarter 2002 Issue-Vol. 11#3)


92 The Macallan Cask Strength (58.6%)
Deep amber color with crimson hues. Incredibly rich aromas of fruitcake, toffee, dates, roasted nuts, with a hint of cocoa powder and other spices. Rich and thick in body. On the palate, there are evolving notes of chewy toffee, ripe fruit (oranges, golden raisons), chocolate covered nuts, multigrain toast, and polished oak. Long, soothing finish.

Style: Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Price: approx. $60. Available nationwide (imported by Remy Amerique, 212/399-4200).

This whisky replaces the now discontinued Macallan 15 year old (so if you like the 15, go out and get a bottle while you still can). It bears no age statement, but contains whiskies primarily in the 10-12 year old range. As you will discover, it tastes a few years older than its age. And there's more maturity and depth of flavor when compared to the 10 year old cask strength bottling in the UK.
(1st Quarter 2003 Issue-Vol. 12#1)


92 The Macallan Fine Oak, 15 year old, 43%, $65
This is my favorite of the three. For about $20 more, you get a richer, much more complex whisky than the 10 year old, and it is more balanced than the 21 year old. This 15 is drier than the 10, with lovely floral and spice notes (cinnamon, coriander, dried orange peel, lavender, rose), balanced by honey-laced complex fruit, and a dry, dark chocolate/orange marmalade finish.
(1st Quarter 2005 Issue-Vol. 14#1)


90 The Macallan 1975, 30 year old, cask #8845, 51%, $n/a
(Reviewer's note: This was released the same time as the 1976 Vintage reviewed above, but was not released in the U.S. It is shown here for comparative purposes.) It's quite the opposite from the 1976 vintage in flavor-this one's aged in a bourbon barrel. This is a delicious whisky. Sweeter notes of vanilla bean, caramel custard, and banana bread blend nicely with delicate citrus and crisp spice. Dark chocolate and warming cinnamon notes on the finish. One of the best bourbon oak-aged Macallans I've tasted.
(1st Quarter 2008 Issue-Vol. 17#1)


90 The Macallan 1861 Replica (42.7%)
Antique amber color. Aromas of toffee and malt, with interwoven dried fruit, flowers, and spices-a real potpourri. Rich, lush body. Rich flavors of toffee, wood resin spices, and citrus, finishing with notes of malt, toffee, and a hint of leather and smoke.

Style: Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Price: approx. $180. Limited distribution nationwide (imported by Remy Amerique, 212/399-4200).

This whisky was modeled after a Macallan distilled back in 1861. Having tried both the original bottling and the replica bottling, I actually like the replica bottling better. This is a tribute to Bob Dalgarno, Macallan's whisky-maker. Like some of the other replica bottlings, there's a lot of citrus and spice notes in this one.
(2nd Quarter 2003 Issue-Vol. 12#2)


89 Scott Selection (distilled at Macallan, 1973, 50.9%)
Deep gold color. Fragrant, floral aroma, with a potpourri of dried spices, especially vanilla and nutmeg. Creamy texture. Flavors of creamy vanilla and caramel, becoming dry with subtle spices and just a hint of fruit.

Style: Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Price: low $200s. Available nationwide (imported by International Brands, 860/677-0473).

This expression is much different than the standard distillery bottled Macallan-the trademark oloroso sherry fruitiness and nuttiness is absent, and is replaced with more floral and creamy vanilla notes. The richness of Macallan spirit remains.
(3rd Quarter 2000 Issue-Vol. 9#3)


89 The Macallan Fine Oak, 21 year old, 43%, $220
Even drier and expressing more of the complex floral and spice notes found in the 15 year old. However, by the time the whisky reaches mid-palate, the dried fruits, dried spices, and general wood notes become prominent, preventing the whisky from revealing other sides of its usually multi-faceted personality. It's still a very fine whisky, but not as good as the 15, regardless of price.
(1st Quarter 2005 Issue-Vol. 14#1)


88 Scott's Selection (distilled at Macallan), 30 year old, 1974 vintage, 52.4%, $230
Quite fresh and lively for its age and loaded with fruit. You'll find bright fruit (tangerine, passion fruit, lemon) followed by subtle, sweeter fruit (coconut, honeydew melon, banana, and apple crumb pie). Resinous, minty oak notes and a hefty viscosity give the whisky some structure, while floral notes (lavender, rose petals) and gentle vanilla expose a softer side to the whisky. Dry, oak finish.
(4th Quarter 2005 Issue-Vol. 14#4)


88 The Macallan Fine Oak 30 year old, 43%, $650
The whisky is quite fruity (green grape, orange, tangerine, and dark cherry), with balancing notes of vanilla, roasted nuts, and a hint of peat. Dry, lightly spicy finish that lingers. It is complex and nicely balanced for a whisky of this age. Still, I feel the 15 year old Fine Oak edition is better and, at $65, one-tenth the cost.
(1st Quarter 2006 Issue-Vol. 15#1)


87 The Macallan (1951 Vintage, 48.8%)
Amber mahogany color. Its 50 years of age are evident in the nose-there's plenty of resinous wood spice notes (especially clove). Also on the nose is citrus (especially orange), a potpourri of dried fruit, light toffee, and a hint of smoked nuts. The body is thick and viscous. The palate expresses flavors similar to its aroma, finishing dry and long.

Style: Speyside single malt scotch. Price: approximately $2,000. Available in extremely limited quantities nationwide (imported by Remy Amerique, 212/399-4200).

While I enjoy the complexity and depth of flavors in this whisky, the oak influence dominates the flavor profile more than I'd like it to. I wonder how it would have tasted if it were five or ten years younger?
(3rd Quarter 2002 Issue-Vol. 11#3)


86 Murray McDavid (distilled at Macallan), 1990 vintage, 16 year old, 46%, $125
Finished (or ACE'd-additional cask enhanced-as they say) in a Madeira cask. Soft in texture, and deceivingly seductive in nature. Pleasingly sweet (honey, caramel, aromas of sticky toffee pudding) with lush summer fruit and gentle spice notes emerging towards the finish. A soft, pleasing Macallan with everything in balance. Nicely done.
(1st Quarter 2008 Issue-Vol. 17#1)


85 Mackillop's Choice (distilled at Macallan, 1974, 43%)
Style: Speyside single malt scotch Color: Bright gold Aroma: Rose petals, lavender, vanilla, soft fruity esters. Palate: Creamy vanilla and a touch of honey up front, becoming gently fruity with a soft maltiness. Clean, delicately complex finish of polished oak and soft floral notes.

General Comments: A Macallan without the 100% sherry aging. It reveals the softer, subtler, more fragrant side of the spirit produced at this distillery. Very clean and well-balanced. Adding water really brings out the whisky's subtle notes. Price: approx. $125. Available at Astor Wine & Liquors, NYC (imported by Royal Wine Corp., 718/384-2400).
(4th Quarter 2003 Issue-Vol. 12#4)


85 Montgomerie's (distilled at Macallan, 1989 Vintage, 13 year old, 46%)
Straw gold color. Aromas reminiscent of a bouquet of flowers, honey, soft fruit, and vanilla. Light to medium in body but mouth-coating. Honey, flowery fruit gum drop flavors, eventually turning dry and gently spicy, with a polished oak finish.

Style: Speyside single malt Scotch whisky. Price: approx. $45. Available exclusively at Park Avenue Liquors, New York City (212/685-2442).

This single cask whisky is atypical when compared to the distillery bottled Macallan whiskies-it was not aged in a sherry oak cask. But it must have been a fine cask nonetheless. It is nicely balanced, very satisfying, and proof of what a great spirit Macallan is, regardless of what type of cask it is aged in.
(1st Quarter 2003 Issue-Vol. 12#1)


84 Mackillop's Choice (distilled at Macallan), 14 year old, 1989 vintage, 58.2%, $75
This expression is atypical for a Macallan whisky-the standard Macallan line is aged in sherry casks, while this one is aged in a bourbon cask. Absent the sherry, this isn't as sweet or rich. Rather, it's more delicate and gentle. The whisky is very clean and creamy, with lovely floral notes (lavender, heather, rose), intertwined with spices (especially vanilla), and fruit (baked apple, pineapple, coconut). Delicate, pleasing finish. One of the better non-sherried whiskies distilled at Macallan. (Bottled exclusively for the retailer "Wine on the 9.")
(2nd Quarter 2005 Issue-Vol. 14#2)


83 Signatory (distilled at Macallan), 14 year old, 1990 vintage, cask #16294, 46%, $70
Aged in a refill butt, and very pale in color. Very fragrant-fruity and spicy-with notes of vanilla, lemongrass, ginger, sultana, citrus zest, key lime, and green grapes. There's a floral component, too (rose petals?). A very delicate Macallan, and quite suitable as an aperitif. (749 bottles produced.)
(1st Quarter 2007 Issue-Vol. 16#1)


83 The Macallan Fine Oak 10 year old, 40%, $44
A nicely honeyed malty foundation is balanced by fruit on the front of the palate, with a pleasingly dry, spicy finish. It would benefit by being bottled at 43%, like the older two expressions. It is simple, straight-forward, and unpretentious, as one would expect in a 10 year old whisky.
(1st Quarter 2005 Issue-Vol. 14#1)


80 The Macallan 1841 Replica Bottling (41.7%)
Style: Speyside single malt scotch Color: Gold Aroma: Fresh and youthful. Citrus fruit, honey, vanilla, ginger, and a hint of smoke. Palate: Youthful and on the light side for a Macallan. Notes of citrus, ginger root, honey and smoke. The whisky finishes rather quicky.

General Comments: Well, I actually tried the original 1841 Vintage Macallan, which this whisky is meant to replicate. The replica bottling is actually an improvement over the original, and it is a pleasant enough whisky. However, compared to the previous Macallan replica bottlings (1861, 1874), this one seems a tad too youthful, lacks the depth of its predecessors, and finishes more quickly. Price: approx. $190. 6,000 bottles nationwide (Remy Amerique, 212/399-4200).
(1st Quarter 2004 Issue-Vol. 13#1)



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