Macallan Rare Cask Black

A Mother’s Day enjoying a relaxing day with the wife. Sushi and a movie and now sitting back with a a lovely wife (and whisky). The color is unique: cognac or brandy looking. A deep, dark amber. Sherry rich of dark fruits and mixed nuts. Currants, dates, figs, black cherries. Molasses sweetness or dark brown sugar. There’s a touch of tanned leather or suede. In the deepest depths of the nose there a hint of dampened tobacco. The nose is one to inhale all day. Sweet and deeply rich. The draw on the palate is initially fruity and sweet of fruit juice with spice and oak all wrapped in a medium-leight body. Cinnamon, vanilla, toffee, raisins; all rich and deep. The sweetness is not overt. A subtle non-saccharine dessert. This dram only enriches and improves with time. A long finish that meanders between orange bitters and charcoal. Some woodiness keeps the palate slightly dry. There is a minty quality or sensation when you wait between draws. The challenge for a whisky, in my opinion, is providing balance. Being not too sweet without being overly dry. Being peaty/smokey without dominating. This Macallan has walked the balance rather well. This is sweet but not syrupy. Fruity but not juicy...a true delight. Simply wonderful. @GenerouslyPaul, many thanks for providing the sample. This is one often not accessible to many. Thanks for the opportunity. [95/100][Tasted: 5/12/18]

Sherry and dark fruits, toffee, brown sugar, leather, woody, tobacco, not smoky but with a hint of peat. Rich and deep, a very long and satisfying finish. Much better than other Macallans in duty free stores.

I definitely think I've reached near the pinnacle of what Macallan has to offer. This is a very nice dram. Raisin, sherry, toffee, oily beautifulness and more. I wouldn't say however for me it's a 5 star experience. Unlike some of the 1/3rd of the price single cask Glendronachs I've had or the Bruchladdich Black Art 1990 (at half the price) which at first sip I was like OMG this is astounding. The alcohol has a slight astringency and isn't 100% in balance and at $500USD a bottle here its a 4.25 - 4.5 rounding down to a 4 for me.