Continuing on my exploration through some of Macallan’s releases, next up I have a sample of their 17 year that was bottled at 43% ABV. The nose is velvety soft leading with a mix of powdered sugar dusted cherries jubilee, sweet lemon lime custard and dusty leather-bound books then dark chocolate ganache drizzled over figgy pudding, light musty cavernous minerality and sweet pipe tobacco followed by brut champagne, pear tarte and orange blossoms that transitions to ginger, cloves, cardamom and polished antique furniture with light ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with a mix of sweet creamy tropical fruits, Black Forest gateau and dusty leather-bound books then blonde roast espresso, fig jam, light musty cavernous minerality and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by brut champagne, caramelized pears and orange blossoms that transitions to ginger, cloves, cardamom and polished antique furniture with light ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with orange blossom, creamy tropical fruits, Black Forest gateau, figs, blonde espresso, light baking spices, dusty leather-bound books and polished antique furniture. This is an absolutely stunning dram that has a captivating yet velvety soft nose with a sweet mix of red berries, citrus and creamy custard upfront with the old oak notes, well-present but in the background, followed by decadent chocolate covered berries, a cavernous musty minerality and faint sweet pipe tobacco which leads to mildly sour citrus, florals, light spices and antique furniture that carries over to palate with an exceptional harmonious balance along with additional flavors of tropical fruits, Black Forest gateau and espresso that finishes on the sweet side with creamy fruits that fade towards a chocolatey dessert with espresso whilst sitting in an antique armchair reading a vintage leather-bound book. For a 43% ABV dram, the flavors are far richer than I expected and highlights that low ABV drams aren’t always thin with light flavors but I’d still really like to taste this at a higher proof as those flavors weren’t quite as bold and dense as I’d preferred. Thank you so much @jonwilkinson7309 for sharing this delightful dram with me as it was a special treat to taste a discontinued Macallan and I wish these were still around without the secondary asking prices.