LeeEvolved
Macallan Edition No. 2
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
February 2, 2019 (edited October 21, 2024)
It’s time to chronicle my experiences with some of these new Macallan NAS series: Editions. They have released a bottle of this every year since 2015. They are all experimental batches trying different blenders, wood types, etc. Prices have remained consistent on the retail market- about $90-100 for each batch. The secondary market has gone absolutely bonkers over Edition No. 1, though- with prices approaching $1000 for a bottle now. The clear answer to that is “No”.
Let’s focus on the 2016 batch: Edition No. 2. This batch was influenced by a restaurantuer family that lay claim to being named the World’s Best Restaurant on two separate occasions. Damn. The Roca family. See the Edition No. 2 packaging for more info if that’s your thing.
This whisky is a deep, sunset copper and bronze in the Glencairn. It’s oily and makes some thin, quickly running legs. It’s bottled at 48.2%. I paid $99 for this bottle a year or so ago.
The nose is a rich, sherry bomb with a damp, funky and earthy wood note rounding things out. Those carry the nose for as long as you’d care to just sit and sniff it. There’s dried berries, orange wedges and zesty citrus if you really get down in there. It’s a wonderful combo.
The palate grabs your attention quickly by blasting your tongue with some spicy ginger and black pepper. The sherry steps in on cue to cut the burn and remind you this is still Macallan through and through. It fades towards oranges and pears by mid sip before letting the back end grab your tastebuds again with strong oak and some vigorous abrasion. This is a first for probably any Mac I’ve tried to this point and I gotta say it was unexpected and quite incredible.
The finish is long with typical sherry sweetness lingering while a very warm oak and chocolate note coat every corner and leaving the finale oily to the very end.
Well, I gotta say, this was truly an amazing, experimental dram that takes Macallan out of their sherried, comfort zone- even if only briefly. I could get behind this type of release on a regular basis if the price point and consistency was there. 4.25-4.5 stars. I can still taste the ginger. Cheers my friends.
99.0
USD
per
Bottle
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Congrats, great review to top off the milestone as always. Yeah I liked this one as well, didn't blow me away but wouldn't kick it out of bed on a cold dark night :-). No. 4 to try next.
Congrats on 450, I hope you have something huge lined up for #500.
@LeeEvolved wow, 450. Quite an achievement. What is lost in the numbers, is the number of quality, unobtainable for most, that you have experienced. And we get to experience vicariously. Thanks for doing that, it’s a pleasure knowing what they are like. Not a cheap hobby at all. I do have the complete set and as you know my good fortune on landing Edition 1 which, alas (possibly) I may never experience. But I will for the others. Congratulations again. I am sure I will be saying the same thing soon when you hit the 500th pour (the 10,000 hours equivalent).
@PBMichiganWolverine - yeah, another guy I know from another whisky app happened across an entire case of Edition 1’s down in Florida. Bought every single one for less than $100/bottle. Why can’t I? Lol
@LeeEvolved that dream was a reality for our boy @Scott_E. He’s kept my hopes alive as well
@PBMichiganWolverine - I wouldn’t say I’ve given up. I hold out for a small glimmer of hope that I will one day walk into a store and see a bottle or two covered in dust with the original sales sticker on it. $84.99 you say? Well, you twisted my arm, Mr. Oblivious Liquor Store Owner- I’ll take both bottles. A man can dream, can’t he?
@LeeEvolved nice! Another 100, and you’ll be at my level, young padawan. On a related note...I see you’ve given up on Edition 1 acquisition?
@LeeEvolved thanks for the reading pleasure :) Each well crafted and nary a bum steer among them.
@Rick_M - it’s my poor choice of career choices. I get stuck working evenings, overnights and weekends all the time. It truly sucks- except for the money, I guess.
@LeeEvolved - I could do that too if I never slept. Most people think you live in the UK. Congrats!
@Whiskey_Hound - thanks for the kind words. I haven’t had much luck with some of the recent NAS Macallan’s of late, so this was a truly pleasurable experience that made me sad when the bottle level ran dry.
Congrats on the milestone Lee! Damn good review, and it's a damn shame this one's all gone
Four Hundred And Fifty Tastes Recorded For Your Reading Pleasure. You’re welcome. 😀