Stop number 26 on the SDT is Macallan. Macallan, the Speyside distillery that has made a name for itself as THE premier single malt around the globe, with prices to match. This expression is the Double Cask. Aged in a combination of sherry season new American oak, and sherry seasoned European oak, then married together. Bottled at 43% ABV and, as all Macallans are, it is natural color. This came as a deep amber. I don't know if Macallan chill filters or not, but I suspect that they do. The nose is full on sherry. Dates and raisins with a ton of vanilla and brown sugar. Some light citrus, blood oranges and lemongrass. Toffee and butterscotch and some oak. Slightly nutty with an odd sort of damp cardboard note. Vanilla buttercream and a brief sensation of roasted coffee beans. A light maple syrup aroma to finish it off. This is classic Macallan, but a little softer no doubt from the American oak. Sherry sweet and elegant on the palate. Walnut pancakes with lots of syrup and a light peppery spice. Faint oak but a fair amount of wood spice. Vanilla buttercream, toffee and caramel. Dates, red plums, and light raisins. A touch of powdered ginger that adds a nice contrast to the sweeter notes. Medium bodied mouthfeel that is rich, oily, creamy and mouthwatering. Medium length finish. Sweet sherry oak with walnuts. Simply elegant. I thoroughly enjoyed this single malt and I am coming to see just what kind of quality Macallan is really capable of. I did not care for the Fine Oak series, but that's not because they were bad, just too heavily focused on the oak and it didn't have that classic Macallan profile. I found this to be much better than the standard 12 year old sherry oak version, and given that it's the same price ($63 locally) I would reach for this one every time. Thanks to Lee for the sample. 4.25 Cheers