Cornmuse
Reviewed
April 28, 2020 (edited July 16, 2020)
Revisiting this one. I had it for the first time at a Macallan tasting and wasn't overly impressed. But its not fair to the whisky to let a first impression be an only impression when the pedigree is this refined. Time to slow down and pay attention.
This expression has a story. I remember hearing this at the tasting, but it didn't really register at the time. This is from ScotchNoob.com review of this Macallan "This is something new, folks. Macallan takes new American oak (NOT ex-bourbon!) and “seasons” it by filling it with sherry for an undisclosed period of time. These “seasoned” American oak sherry casks are then used to age Macallan for at least 12 years. This whisky is then blended with traditional Macallan aged in European oak sherry casks and bottled at 43% ABV for the American market."
I enjoyed this taste is neat from a small snifter glass. The bottle is a few months old and about 2/3rds full, so it's had opportunity for some meaningful oxidation. I gave the pour about 10 minutes to rest. The color is brassy and a swirl shows some sheeting and a number of small tears running down the side of the glass.
On the nose I get immediate notes of sweet sherry with notes of vanilla and a hint of candy orange slices. Barrel wood is in the mix, and my wife picked out a note she said reminded her of an upscale butcher shop - meaty. I didn't quite get there, but definitely get something that reminds me of fresh chesnuts. This has an interesting nose, its not so fascinating first whiff, but as you pay attention to subtle elements you find complexity.
On the palette this is soft, sweet, sherried, polite and reserved. There's a short delay between the swallow and the blush of pepper that remains. There's nothing technicolor about this. Nothing brash, nothing flashy. It's lovely... but I don't love it.
This is a very good, very polite dram. So polite its boring. Watery even. I can't imagine this on ice. I should try a drop of water to see how it changes the drink, but this isn't something I'd want to mix or use in a cocktail. Its a very refined, very approachable, sweet scotch whisky that is best enjoyed on its own terms - neat and casual.
59.99
USD
per
Bottle