Macallan Rare Cask Black

Coming off of the Macallan Rare Cask review, I figured now is as good a time as any to review an ever more special bottle, the Rare Cask Black. This is a travel retail exclusive bottling. Less than 100 casks were used to make this one time only expression from Macallan. From the bottle: "Crafted from predominantly first fill sherry seasoned oak casks maturing a remarkably rare peated Macallan spirit. Hand selected by our master whisky maker from less than 100 of the casks maturing at The Macallan Distillery. An incomparable character, The Macallan Rare Cask Black combines rich intensity with a distinctive smoky flavour." I kept the European spelling because that's how it's written. Bottled at 48% ABV, non chill filtered to the best of my knowledge and natural color. The color is something to behold. The color of dark autumn leaves right before they turn brown, a deep red amber, or dark maple syrup. Truly mesmerizing when held up to a lightly overcast sky close to sunset. Like staring into the soul of mid autumn in northern Michigan. At 48%, this needs a few minutes in the glass to settle down, or you will get a blast of alcohol on the nose. Sherry notes up front, dates, raisins, a nose as dark as its color. Sherried oak and fruits. There is the barest of threads of peat in the background, weaving its way through the nose. Earthy peat, not smoky like I expected. With more time the sweetness really becomes apparent. Sticky sweet chewy toffee and caramel, vanilla and a big maple syrup note. Baked pear coated with cinnamon and nuts. Maybe a faint minty note. Tobacco and new leather appear before finally revealing the faintest hint of bonfire smoke, and I do mean faint. Along with more of the maple syrup, oranges appear close to the bottom of the glass. Like the standard Rare Cask, I could nose this all night, but it is much more full and refined than the Rare Cask. I had a hard time conveying the palate notes, because every time I took a sip I rolled this beautiful whisky around in my mouth and got lost in its elegance. I can say this much though, it is rich, robust and intense. Sweet and spicy arrival. Oak, cinnamon, dates, raisins and new leather. Wonderful. The mouthfeel is oily and mouth coating, turning dry and leathery in a very good way. To say the finish is long simply won't do. It's been at least 30 minutes since I finished my (roughly) 1.5 oz pour and I can still fully taste the dates and maple syrup sweetness. It doesn't just hang around, it rents a room in your mouth, paints the walls, refinishes the floors and hangs pictures of itself for all to enjoy. I was fortunate enough to find a bottle of this Rare Cask Black at the duty free store at the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel. I saw the price tag and passed on it several times. After many, many pleadings from my friend Lee I decided to splurge and treat myself to what may be one of the rarest expressions from Macallan in the modern era. I'm so glad I did. It is well matured, and very elegant, with enough intensity to carry the experience into the realm of the superb. At $350 (tax free mind you) for 700mL, this is the most expensive bottle I have ever purchased, but given the chance I would buy another without question. 5/5 and a tear of joy, and a future tear of sadness for when the bottle is gone.

Drinking this inspired me to buy the normal rare cask. This one I loved, the standard rare cask I found insipid. This is 48% of un-chill filtered goodness. I couldn't detect the smoky/peaty taste that reviewers talk about though. I thought maybe my bottle just didn't show it but I tried it again from a different bottle in a whisky tasting with some serious tasters and no one got the smoke as such. In any case it's delicious! Two bag it with a Talisker 25 and evolve...