Soba45
Macallan Fine Oak 18 Year
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
March 29, 2018 (edited December 25, 2019)
Macallan and Jim Murray...ok I won't rant. The latter likes the former, and rates this edition highly.... . I really gave this one a chance. I cleansed my palate with an average whiskey, waited a minute for each year of its age. Would this be the one? Ok the good. Nice viscosity, honey, golden syrup, toffee bit of orange. Unfortunately its a bit bitter and astringent which lingers in the aftertaste. It's meant to be sherry finished but I'm getting none of that. All in all not to bad maybe up to a 3.5 at a push but it's around $250 USD and so like most Macallans heavily over priced. I'd say a 1/3rd of the price would be reasonable. 3 it is once VFM comes into the equation. I have not had a good run with Macallan but I hear Rare, Rare black and Edition 2 are Macallan at its finest so one day I might find out what the hype is about. As an aside I cracked open a sample of 1991, 24 year 49.2% Glendronach straight after...no waiting for 24 mins or anything and bam cheaper price, much, much better outcome.
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@Generously_Paul. Haha... the good thing about whisky is if you don't like something there are always plenty more lining up! @Rick_M..Ah no whisky isn't to bad over here price wise it's just when you can't get hold of stuff and purchase MoM samples from UK it gets expensive. They charge twice the price equivalent of the bottle for a dram and once you factor shipping at $60 a pop minimum and duty, Sales tax etc you are generally paying 3 times the cost per dram to get it over here. I used to buy a lot of bottles I didn't like and give them away after a few drams so it still works out miles cheaper. I really only buy a bottle for every 30 samples I try now....not that I'm that fussy... its just once you factor the price in for some of these I just can't pull the trigger e.g. Highland Park Ice. If you took price out of the equation I'd prob buy a bottle every 7 -10 I try.
@PBMichiganWolverine - the seller would net $1,463 if it sells at 1,100 pounds. (1,100 x 1.4 = 1,540 minus 5% buyers premium = 1,463)
I got my Rare Cask for $225 from Ace spirits in Minnesota. A $75 discount from what I would have paid in Michigan. Hate my States sin tax. @Soba45 if you don’t like that sample of Rare Cask Black I think it’s time to retire from whisky in general.
@LeeEvolved. I so over paid for my Rare. I got it when it first came out, close to $350.
@Rick_M. Jesus $1800 for Compass General is so not worth it. I should find out how to list mine...I got it for $150 five or take, so looking at close to 1000% profit
@Soba45 - That’s crazy. How can anyone afford to drink over there?
I just shipped over another batch of 40 or so MoM samples including the Macallan Rare Black and Edition 2. If I don't enjoy those I'll officially retire from Macallan :-). Wow that is a good price Rick. My one MoM sample cost me $40USD plus another 10 for tax, shipping and duty!
@Rick_M - that’s a fabulous deal for Rare. I thought I stole mine a couple of years ago when I paid $229. It’s definitely a much better deal than the 18 year old now. Enjoy.
@PBMichiganWolverine - Compass Box General update with 2 days left: Still £1100.00 ($1,775 with buyers premium and exchange rate to US)
@PBMichiganWolverine - Thanks Pranay! The packaging is almost as good as their stuff in Lalique......maybe not! :)
@Rick_M that’s a great deal. At that price, it’s much more palatable
I bought a Rare Cask tonight for $219 from a retailer that doesn’t advertise his prices. Some folks in my area are advertising this for over $300. I could probably grab a few more for under $200. For you folks that know Macallan, is this attractive?
100% agreement. GlenDronach gives Macallan the business in any head to head matchup. I thought Rare Cask was only OK/very good but not at that price. Edition No 2 is the best Macallan I’ve had (admittedly have not tried 18, higher ages, or the old cask strength).
I think samples will be all I'll be getting at current prices for a full bottle. Wow $35 a pour for an 18 year is pretty steep. Yes the estate 1824 was the best I've had yet...a lot more going on but again didn't blow me away. I can't ever see myself ever buying a full bottle.
@Soba45 - I spent $35 for a pour of Macallan18 sherry at Cooper’s Hawk in Naples, FL last month and it was just “ok.” Is the Rare the best VFM?
The younger Fine Oak expressions are fair VFM. I quite liked the 10 and 12. The older ones are over-rated IMHO. On the whole I prefer the 1824 range to the Fine Oak range anyway.
@Soba45 the Rare and Rare Black are both good, with the Black being exceptionally good. But...at $300 and $450 (give or take), it’s pricey for what it offers
The Rare is solid. The Rare Black is exceptional. They are disappearing though
Keep it in your investment portfolio I reckon. Sell it for stupid money a few years from now and buy heaps of older glendronachs and drink them is my recommendation :-). Cask 2683 I just had was very very nice. I have a sample of the Macallan Rare so fingers crossed it's the one. I really want to try the Rare Black as well. If they don't do it for me then I'm done!
I thought the 15 & 17 year old fine oak were both highly overrated, as well. I have a bottle of the 21 fine oak, but I’m scared to open it for fear it will be a huge let down. At $450- I’m not ready to take that loss yet haha.