Macallan Fine Oak 15 Year

It sure smells nice: woody, spicy, and very fruity. The Sherry presence is quite clear. The palate is on the mild side, but there is a fair amount going on. Plenty of cherry is there, but it isn't overwhelming. Floral notes from the barrel are apparent. There's a nice mild wood flavor throughout and some of that nice cherry syrup adding some sweetness and viscosity. There's something nice about how the vanilla interacts too and the richness backing the drink is quite good as well. It's a delicate drink that is not overwhelmed by the alcohol in any way. It definitely has that strong sherry presence with a bourbon backing of vanilla and cinnamon. It reminds me a lot of a cross between Highland Park The Light and Highland Park The Dark, though it isn't quite as good as either. This is a fine sipper that solidifies the complexity that the Macallan 12 Sherry hints at, making a delightful experience from beginning to end. While it isn't a masterpiece for the ages, it is a very tasty and well-executed drink. Smells pretty standard : wood, fruit, and not super old. There's a bit more going on here than in either of the Macallan 12s, though it is a big step down from the Glenmorangie Signet. This has a lot of nuttiness though, which I absolutely love. Almond and coconut are dominant in the finish. There is some cherry, but also some orange. Dark chocolate adds richness. There is the tiniest bit of toffee hanging out with the vanilla to make this thing sweet. The complexity is great and it mostly covers the alcohol. The spices tend toward baking spices, so it doesn't burn too much. Even mid hints of sea spray dart through. I would put this right up there with the Macallan Rare Cask because it has so much complexity even though it is not as rich. It's great, but still a bit costly for the price. Maybe get some highland Park 18 and Glenfarclas 25 instead as a bump up in quality?

Like french kissing an angel.

My least favorite of all macallans