Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak Cask

Continuing on my exploration through some Macallan’s, next up I have a sample of their 18 year 2020 release that was bottled at 43% ABV. The nose is velvety soft leading with a mix of powdered sugar dusted balsamic strawberries, sweet lemon lime sorbet and dusty leather-bound books then espresso, dark chocolate covered hazelnuts, caramelized figs and faint sweet pipe tobacco followed by nectarines, poached pears and orange blossoms that transitions to ginger, cloves, cardamom and polished antique furniture with low ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with a mix of sweet creamy tropical fruits, balsamic strawberries, lemon lime sorbet and dusty leather-bound books then a mild bitter spice that quickly fades to dark chocolate spicy mocha, figgy pudding, hazelnuts, light cavernous minerality and faint pipe smoke followed by pear tarte, blueberries and mandarin oranges that transitions to ginger, cloves, cardamom and polished antique furniture with low ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with creamy tropical fruits, mandarin oranges, figgy pudding, light cavernous minerality, spicy dark chocolate mocha, faint pipe smoke, dusty leather-bound books and polished antique furniture. After tasting the 17 year, I was elated to try the 18 and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The nose is a masterfully crafted symphony of flavors leading with a mild sourness underscored by creamy citrus and dusty oak that the oak fades but remains present in the background of decadent fruits, well-aged sherry and mild sweet earthy spices that carries over to the palate with a mild spice along with the addition of a cavernous minerality and tropical fruits that maintains that exceptional balance found on the nose before a finish that starts with creamy sweets before fading to mild spices and dusty well-aged oak. I’m really impressed with the flavor, complexity and depth Macallan is able to deliver at relatively low ABV that would be enjoyable for both proof hounds and those who prefer a lower ABV dram. Unfortunately these don’t come cheap and appear to be around $350+, but at least it is a high quality product that is unlikely to disappoint.

The Macallan 18 year is the first single malt that I ever bought that was over $100. I had heard great things about it and so after getting a promotion, I dropped nearly $180 on it. Thinking back, I wish I had bought more than one bottle because it continues to rise in price and while it may not be as outstanding as I remember, it's still a very good whisky. Right off the bat you smell the sherry influence, with heavy fruit, like raspberries or strawberries. On the palate you get the oak with some nice cherry notes, along with some stone fruit, thinking apricots. It has a very rich and smooth feel to it. The finish is pretty long, with little to no burn and some nice tobacco and chocolate notes. It may not be as good as the 25 year, but for the value (tough to say that when it costs well over $200) it's probably the better option. I may be a bit biased with this one seeing as it was the first big purchase I ever made, but I still think it holds up and is a very good single malt scotch.

Iconic It seems to have become fashionable for whisky afficionados to diss Macallan--especially Macallan 18. It ain't cheap. It's a mainstay for suits in expense-account steakhouses, many of whom are not only oblivious to its sublimity but also to the scarcity of a spirit that has taken 18 years to mature. In spite of this, it is a force to be reckoned with, and no serious whisky drinker can ignore it. Serenity Prayer time, ladies and gents: you may think it is overpriced, or has snob appeal, or is not as good as X, Y, or Z. But it is a benchmark over which you have no control, so God grant you the wisdom to accept this fact that you cannot change, because it cannot be overlooked. Beautiful deep tawny orange color. Generous nose shows golden raisins, dates, brown sugar, spice cake, orange oil, and vanilla. Soft, viscous mouthfeel, subtle spice, a little ginger, and some espresso flavors on the long finish. Serious, elegant, and seamless. 4.5+ on the Distiller scale.

Since the bottle is a little out of my price range, I've decided to go all in on a somewhat costly pour from a local spot. The smell was faintly reminiscent to the 12 I love, but had some different nuances that separated it. The sherry/oak for one was evident along with some citrus. The sipping yielded flavors of figs, subtle nuts, and a touch of smoke and oak towards the finish. I expected it to be silky smooth, but it had the slightest hit of a bite along with soft bitterness. Solid overall, but it didn't trounce the 12 as much as I expected it to.

On the nose is full, with a small hint of the typical Macallan acetone smell. Smells as toffee, very dark fruis, maybe figs. Oaky, cinnamon, and clove are also present. On the palate is smoother than the nose suggests. Very oily, strong oak notes, the finish is long and filled with spices, and dark chocolate. A little of alcohol burn, not too noticeable. It doesn’t have the dark fruity flavors of the 12 at the first sip, you start getting those on the second. Definitely feels old, like old, wet wood, musty.

This is a very complex and rich spirit aged a minimum of 18 years in sherry infused in oak barrels. The nose is cinnamon spice with dried fruit and smoky overtones. The taste reveals a more sweet fruit, figs, spices, chocolate, and sherry. The smoky finish lingers a long time. My wife enjoys this as well