Macallan Fine Oak 17 Year

Best scotch I ever had!

Great scotch sweet and smooth.

This is a beautiful Scotch I've saved for years until I finished graduate school. I got it for free from my cousin who did marketing for Edrington in Manhattan. She did not let me touch the Macallan 25, but let my brother and I have the 12 and our choice between the 17 or 18, among other freebies. I chose the 17 since it was not a common release and my cousin also preferred it. When I learned of the price for this Scotch ($150-200), and the fact the product was discontinued, I decided to save it. Five years later I finally opened this bottle in August and despite the degradation of the cork it's been an enjoyable experience. I'm glad I got this for free since I would never pony up that much money for a bottle until I'm financially secure. It is a really great Scotch, but there's no way I'd ever pay close to $200 for something like this. The sherry influence is somewhat muted despite two of three barrels used for aging were ex-sherry casks. I actually get more of a double oak maturation flavor I find in American single malts and double oaked bourbons. If I didn't know any better I'd say this was a light, refined Jim Beam Double Oak that was finished in sherry for less than a year. Another whiskey I've had recently that comes to mind is Rua American Single Malt, but this is lighter. It honestly tastes much more like a bourbon than Scotch, albeit a bourbon with low char. I think the tasting notes by the expert reflect this comparison.