Generously_Paul
Macallan Edition No. 5
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
March 11, 2020 (edited September 22, 2020)
Finishing up my reviews of the Macallan Edition series with this year’s release, Edition No. 5, courtesy of @LeeEvolved. This newest edition is bottled at 48.5% ABV and is non chill filtered and natural color of amber.
This particular Macallan uses a high proportion of ex bourbon barrels, and it shows. Even though all of the casks were sherry seasoned, the first note I got on the nose was bourbon, and a lot of it. The American oak really stands out and delivers a ton of sweetness. Copious amounts of vanilla, caramel and brown sugar. The sherry starts to come through a little with golden raisins, chocolate and sweet grapes. There was something that kept me wondering for a while, and then all of a sudden it hit me...kettle corn. First time I’ve ever gotten that and it was very interesting. Donut glaze, powdered sugar. If smells could rot your teeth this would carry a warning from the American Dental Association. Peaches & cream, vanilla custard, sweet oaky notes. After it sits a good long while I started to get apples and pears as well.
The palate had a somewhat sweet entry, followed by a surprisingly spicy arrival. Very oaky with lots of wood spice. Again, way more bourbon than sherry. Slightly astringent. Vanilla, a bit sour, and that odd kettle corn note from the nose. A little barrel char, aromatic, a touch floral and some hay. Little to no sherry presence, some orange peel, but nothing else in the way of fruits. A little salt and chocolate, but way too much oak.
A medium to full bodied mouthfeel that is astringent, mouthwatering, then dry.
The finish is medium long with oak, bourbony oak, tannic oak, clove and ginger.
I really enjoyed the nose on this one for how oddly sweet it was and that unique kettle corn note, but the palate completely undermined that enjoyment. It’s as if they created this whisky solely on the nose alone, smelled the end result and said, that’s perfect, no need to taste it, I’m sure it’s fine. The palate was overly harsh and way over oaked. The worst of the Edition series I’ve had. It’s not even recognizable as a Macallan. I’d give the nose a 4, but the palate struggles to get past a 2.75 or 3 at best. So for that I will give it a 3.25.
Cheers
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
Really disappointing to see how much aging Macallan is doing in bourbon barrels these days since they have the reputation as THE premium sherried scotch. Also disappointing to follow your Macallan edition reviews from 2 to 5 and see the ratings go 4.25 -> 4.00 -> 3.75 -> 3.25. How far you've fallen, Macallan.
Wow, I didn’t think this edition was all that great either, but 3 stars? I didn’t think it was that low on the quality scale. I would agree that it’s the worst of the series, though. Great review, cheers.
@Generously_Paul I think to @Soba45’s point—these all will come down in price. I’m seeing a liquidity crisis already...you notice even though rates are down to 0.5, the mortgage rates are as much down? Not a good sign
@PBMichiganWolverine yes, and I have almost no interest in trying it, and zero interest in trying to obtain one at anything higher than 10% above retail
Only the 1 is left now ?
@Generously_Paul I'm pretty sure coronavirus and the upcoming recession will sort that one out...and hopefully all the stupid pricing! Sadly a lot of younger distilleries may not make it.
@Soba45 and yet they are more collectible than ever...go figure
Nice review :-). I think Telex would pair that (or in fact Macallan in general these days excluding their insanely priced stuff ) with Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire song...down down down the quality of our whisky went and the flames burning down our reputation went higher higher higher..