Continuing on my exploration through some Macallan’s, next up I have a sample of their 18 year 2020 release that was bottled at 43% ABV. The nose is velvety soft leading with a mix of powdered sugar dusted balsamic strawberries, sweet lemon lime sorbet and dusty leather-bound books then espresso, dark chocolate covered hazelnuts, caramelized figs and faint sweet pipe tobacco followed by nectarines, poached pears and orange blossoms that transitions to ginger, cloves, cardamom and polished antique furniture with low ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with a mix of sweet creamy tropical fruits, balsamic strawberries, lemon lime sorbet and dusty leather-bound books then a mild bitter spice that quickly fades to dark chocolate spicy mocha, figgy pudding, hazelnuts, light cavernous minerality and faint pipe smoke followed by pear tarte, blueberries and mandarin oranges that transitions to ginger, cloves, cardamom and polished antique furniture with low ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with creamy tropical fruits, mandarin oranges, figgy pudding, light cavernous minerality, spicy dark chocolate mocha, faint pipe smoke, dusty leather-bound books and polished antique furniture. After tasting the 17 year, I was elated to try the 18 and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The nose is a masterfully crafted symphony of flavors leading with a mild sourness underscored by creamy citrus and dusty oak that the oak fades but remains present in the background of decadent fruits, well-aged sherry and mild sweet earthy spices that carries over to the palate with a mild spice along with the addition of a cavernous minerality and tropical fruits that maintains that exceptional balance found on the nose before a finish that starts with creamy sweets before fading to mild spices and dusty well-aged oak. I’m really impressed with the flavor, complexity and depth Macallan is able to deliver at relatively low ABV that would be enjoyable for both proof hounds and those who prefer a lower ABV dram. Unfortunately these don’t come cheap and appear to be around $350+, but at least it is a high quality product that is unlikely to disappoint.