PBMichiganWolverine
Macallan Edition No. 5
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
October 4, 2019 (edited March 3, 2020)
The good old days of Macallan are over, and it’s been like that for a while. I don’t want to rehash those good old days, but instead wanted to take this NAS bottle for what it is: an effort to place a premium whisky on the shelves, competing for your dollar against a plethora of others in the same $120 range. With that standard...I think it’s failed. You can do much better for much less.
I had a small pour at a tasting ( and yes...I did buy a bottle namely to keep my Edition 2 onwards intact). I don’t get anything special in this pour: aroma of dry fruits and nuts; taste of dates and peaches. If I had to give kudos to one thing—it’s the awesome label color —-but honestly, who gives a rat’s ass about label color. Personally, in just one man’s opinion, I’d be a buyer of this for two reasons only: either to collect as a Macallan Edition bottle, or a fancy gift with a nice label color
115.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@worldwhiskies95 I’ve tried an old Macallan twice —-once was when I was young and ignorant (Macallan Gran Reserva)...didn’t know any better and mixed it with coke. Next was some months back at a tasting with @Richard-ModernDrinking —-that was a 80s Macallan which was amazing
@Soba45 All those made by Midleton? Didn’t realize that. Guess I’ve tried them
Would love to see what Macallan tasted like back in its heyday. Whenever people say great things about amazing sherry matured whiskies I've tried like Glengoyne 25, Glendronach 18+ year old stuff, they think of it tasting like what macallan used to taste like.
@PBMichiganWolverine I think you have :-). The Spot, Redbreast, Powers, Method and Madness, Jameson, Paddy, Tullimore Dew, Writers Tears, The Irishman. They do a lot of average stuff but I just love their diverse range and willingness to experiment.
@dubz480 agreed Edition 4 was good. The best in the lineup imo and worth buying (have not had Edition 1, tho).
@PBMichiganWolverine all the more reason to maintain the set. Just hurts a bit when the cost outweighs the quality.
@Scott_E dude—-you have the unicorn Edition 1 that you fell ass backward into.
@Soba45 totally agree. Generally for me, most Springbanks and Kilchomans are 4 or 5 stars. I’ve never have had a Midleton though —on my try list
It really seems just about everyone is trying to maximize the $$ and quality is suffering. Places like Springbank are holding true though. I read an article that said they don't try and expand in the boom times nor do they get stupid with (most) of their pricing. It ensures 1) Loyalty 2) They protect their staff. While their quality is sometimes variable I think it's now along with Midleton and Kilchoman in my top 3 distilleries.
@PBMichiganWolverine Disheartening. I too will (still have to) purchase mainly to keep my collection.
Hopefully his new job isn’t as a loan approver at a bank...
Sadly the guy free-pouring 1980s Macallan was nowhere to be seen. Probably got fired!
@Richard-ModernDrinking I wouldn’t either. Unless they’re offering one of those from a different era ( like the one I sampled at your place—-that was from a bygone generation )
I didn't even bother with the Macallan stand at Whisky Show.
@dubz480 it’s not bad...but in my mind, for NAS bottles, I can’t help but compare who else is competing for my dollar. I’m not sure for this price, it’s worth it.
Edition 4 was pretty tasty, sounds like this is a pass!