Whisky Tasting: Macallan

 The Macallan has a reputation as the Rolls-Royce of scotch, something probably perpetuated by Macallan. It's been a long while since I had some Macallan so this was always going to be an interesting tasting. Given the cost of Macallan, hopefully a good one.

Macallan Gold 40%

• N: watery, sweet, bandacopy paper, chemical, citrus
• P: citrus, very light, a little spikey, buttery, sour
• F: short, disappears like $5 hooker

6/10 not very interesting

Macallan 12yo Double cask 40%

• N: sherry, interesting, older, sweet, cedar, vanilla
• P: sour, sherry, quince
• F: short,

5/10. very low complexity whisky. boring.

Macallan 18yo Triple Cask 43%

• N: weak, older, dusty ash, prickly, caramelised apples
• P: lemonade, light, incr alcohol, hot
• F: what finish?

5/10 again, very disappointing, lack of complexity or interest

Macallan 12yo Sherry cask 40%

• N: brown sugar, aged? ammonia, apples, sweet
• P: lime, smooth, sweet, sherry, sugar, vanilla
• F: medium, warm honey

7/10 although light this was more interesting. 

[Mystery] Glendronach 12yo

• N: PVA glue (woodglue), fruit, lychees, sharp
• P: citrus, light apples
• F: medium, spikey apple

6.5/10 even as a mystery it fitted well in the lineup, low complexity, and light in flavour

Macallan 15yo Double Cask 43%

• N: caramel, eggs, smooth, low alc, sherry, liquorice, teriyaki
• P: warm, peppery, complex and integrated
• F: medium

7.5/10 this was more interesting and my whisky of the night. Not worth the money, but at least there was a bit of complexity happening.

Macallan Rare Cask 43% 2020 Release

• N: liquorice, caramel, light cigar, honey, sherry, well integrated, very nice
• P: watery mess, sour, astringent
• F: nothing

5/10. So this saved me NZ $750. rubbish. 

On the plus side I liked the beer we had, kereru Silverstream Pale Ale. 

Fair to say, not impressed. All very bland and over priced. Daniel was explaining they'd managed to run out their stocks 20 ? years ago, so were having to rebuild. But certainly not the sherry monster they were known for years ago. Disappointing, but ultimately saved me money.

-B