Macallan Classic Cut (2022 Release)

Appearance: golden brown. Swirling shows a thin film on the glass, which beads up fast, but the legs form slowly. Nose: Very sweet, with notes of vanilla, powdered sugar, caramel, sticky raisins, and floral honey. Balanced by a touch of citrus like fresh grapefruit and lemon zest. Palate: A nice, rich mouthfeel. Oak spice is prominent, alongside subtler tastes of burnt toffee, black tea, and some lemon peel. It's not very complex and quite different from the sweet nose, but it has a pleasant warming sensation, not quite intense. Finish: Lasts a medium amount of time. Oak spice starts it off, followed by a quick hint of black licorice. This then gives way to dark chocolate and a bit of vibrant orange, concluding very smoothly. With a splash of water: A faint hint of grape jelly appears in the nose, the palate gains some milk chocolate sweetness, and the finish gets a touch of saltiness. Overall: An intriguing bottle. It feels somewhat simple yet varied. Nothing about it is difficult, making it very accessible, but the distinct differences between the nose, palate, and finish keep it engaging. The mouthfeel might be its strongest attribute, rather than the flavor. Recommendation: perhaps. Purchase: yes.

I sampled this alongside The Macallan 12 Sherry Oak Cask for comparison. The 2022 Classic Cut offers a more complex nose with stronger citrus notes, hints of freshly cut wood, and a surprising but not overpowering amount of vanilla. The taste is fantastic, starting spicy and citrusy before transitioning to a smooth, oaky-vanilla finish that lingers pleasantly without being too strong. This is an exceptionally smooth and flavorful single malt, especially considering its 52.5% ABV. If you appreciate The Macallan 12 Double Cask, I recommend trying the 2022 Classic Cut.

I'm not generally a fan of Macallan, but this expression is a prime, archetypal scotch with a significantly longer finish than typical scotch whiskey.