Tastes

This one is a permanent part of my collection. An aggressive Macallan! Thank you!...Everything I love about Macallan, but cranked up! I seldom add water to my scotch, but this sherry monster can handle a few drops beautifully. Wonderful nose of toasted candied nuts, orange zest, stewed dark red fruits, vanilla and marzipan. Palate has most of the above flavors with a little pinch of white pepper adding some heat. Shortbread, caramel, toffee, dark chocolate and ripe cherries present as well. Christmas spices and clove on the finish carry a welcome warming tingle that should not be confused with an alcohol burn. Delicious. Makes your mouth water and coats your entire mouth with great viscosity and good mouth feel. Very long finish! Puts a smile on my face every time I place the bottle back on the shelf after a dram that can easily be enjoyed for 35-45 min. Great for a cold winter’s evening. It’s not truly Cask Strength, but it effectively serves the purposes of creating something unique in the Macallan line-up for those of us who are up for a challenge.

The standard. My daily drinker. Some are higher rated, others are more complex, and some have more interesting historical backstories attached to their creation, but this is the one I’d live with on a desert island.

Outstanding without a cigar, but sublime with a robust cigar. Nose is loaded with orange, dark chocolate, raisins, ripe figs and more raisins! Amazing nose. Orange zest and baking spices on the palate. Very long finish. Turn off the TV, throw some logs on the fire, open up the humidor and pick out something special, and then pour a dram of this on a snowy January Saturday afternoon in Chicago to kick off the new year!

Very good. Overpriced. Let’s be honest, if the bottle wasn’t so attractive it wouldn’t be everyone’s darling and it would sell for sub $40.