Review #105 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 63% Comments: aged 14 years, matured in first-fill Spanish oak Oloroso hogsheads & refill American oak Pedro Ximenez butts Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Treacle color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are very slow to form. Nose: 19/20 Raisins, apricots, prune juice, and dark chocolate are most prevalent. Nosing further yields vanilla, buttered toast, and hint of something floral. The sherry maturation is evident, but it’s well balanced. Very complex, intriguing, and enjoyable! Palate: 34/40 Nice oily mouthfeel, and surprisingly smooth given the ABV. There’s lots of wood influence here though; it’s a dram that is certainly true to its name and not at all mild. Bitter oak is rounded out by sweet caramel and dried fruits, with milder flavors of walnuts and milk chocolate. Finish: 36/40 Medium-long finish. Spicy oak tannins come out swinging accompanied by cough syrup and ginger. Some dark chocolate emerges as these initial flavors fade, and there’s some smooth espresso and dusty old books interwoven, followed by a surprise small pop of chili pepper heat at the end. With Water: A few drops of water tames the wood influence a bit, the palate becomes a bit smoother still, and cough syrup and hard candies dominate the finish. Total: 89/100 Final thoughts: What a treat it was to try this! So glad we have independent bottlers who can bring to market great examples of what Macallan is capable of. This was a free sample, but if I had been a SNWS member back in 2023 I certainly would have tried to acquire one of these bottles for myself at $175 USD. On an aside, I found myself idly nosing the empty glass for a time after I had finished my dram, really enjoying the lingering and unmistakable aroma of chocolate dipped dried apricots that it left behind. Thanks to my brother @Mark-Watson2 for the sample. Price: gifted sample Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.