Recent favorable impressions of Macallan’s Rare Cask and 18yo Fine Oak helped persuade this purchase. When it comes to single malt scotch whisky, 18 is a “prime” number despite its divisibility. There are many highly rated and affordable in this category. Highland Park 18, Dalmore 18, Springbank 18, Glen Grant 18, Talisker 18, and the current 2 Macallan 18s, to name a few. Add a couple of years to this formula and prices can double or triple detracting from their attractiveness. Macallan was acquired in 1996 by Highland Distilleries, now known as the Edrington Group of Scotland. Highland Park distillery had already been under their umbrella since 1937. Considered the Rolls Royce of whisky, Macallan continues to break auction records with a 60yo Valerio Adami selling for $1.1 million last month. Macallan recently opened their new £140 million distillery that was 6 years in the making. Architecturally significant and aesthetically pleasing, it’s worth a visit to their website to see what your hard earned money is subsidizing. Throughout their history, Macallan has specialized in sherry cask aged whisky until more recently when bourbon barrel integration was introduced around 2004 with their Fine Oak series. This particular Jerez sherry cask 18yo has been a yearly staple now for several decades and is quite good. Its color is a rich amber and a spin of the glass will produce viscous, hard forming legs commensurate with age. The nose is supremely elegant and moderately intense, with doses of dried fruits, vanilla, baking spices and a twist of citrus. A rich and smooth delivery carries more of the same with the addition of toasted almonds and a touch of caramel. A superb finish is highlighted by the expensive European oak and its drying tannins that fade with satisfaction. A solid 4 stars.