Macallan Rare Cask

Nose: mild overall, notes of caramel, spice Taste: of course I get that upfront sherry flavor. Nice oak notes, dried fruit, Finish: this whiskey just sits with you in the best way.

Continuing on my exploration through some of Macallan’s releases, next up I have a sample of their 2020 Rare Cask that was bottled at 43% ABV. The nose is velvety soft leading with a mix of lightly soured black cherries, sweet lemon custard and dusty leather-bound books then dark chocolate truffles, fig jam and light musty cavernous minerality followed by grape jelly, apricots and orange blossoms that transitions to ginger, cloves, cardamom and polished antique furniture with light ethanol burn. The taste is a thin mouthfeel starting with a mix of lightly soured black cherries, sweet tropical fruits and dusty leather-bound books then a mild bitter and sour spice that slowly fades to dark chocolate spicy mocha, dehydrated figs and light musty cavernous minerality followed by grape jelly, apricots and lime zest that transitions to ginger, cloves, cardamom and mildly bitter black tea with light ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with orange blossom, dehydrated mangos, dark chocolate mocha, fig jam, light baking spices, dusty leather-bound books and mildly bitter black tea. This is a very tasty dram that draws you in with a nose beginning with a mild sourness that quickly fades to creamy sweets and a dusty well-aged oak before earthy sweets with dark fruits and musty caves then to a mix of sweet grapes, light citrus and florals that fade to light spices and antique furniture that is captivating and delightful. The taste manages to maintain much of the delightful profile found on the nose; however, the flavors are dialed back into a subtle tune instead of the wonderful vibrant and delicate melody that drew me in along with a mild bitterness that detracts from the profile and finishes lightly sweet before gravitating towards well-aged oak notes and a mild bitterness. A very well balanced and executed dram that is likely tailored towards an audience that prefers little to no ethanol burn as it is a very easy sipping dram, but suffers from the lower proof which restrained those well-aged sherry notes that I think could have really thrived at a slightly higher proof. At a cost of nearly $360 near me, this doesn’t justify the premium asking price for me and I’d be happy with plenty of other options for far less.