Macallan 18 Year Triple Cask Matured

A certain distillery, known for being pricey and often overhyped. I've mentioned before that I'm not the biggest fan of their releases, and when they are good, they usually come with a very high cost. It's also worth noting my personal 'curse' with 18-year-old spirits – they rarely impress me, with one exception being an exceptional spirit. This particular brand often falls short for me. I'm particularly skeptical of their triple cask expressions. I tried this one at a restaurant, and it wasn't outstanding. For a bottle costing over $300, you'd anticipate something remarkable. (A heads-up for a future review: I did try the 15-year-old triple cask, and it was fantastic). It's bottled at 43% ABV with a burnished gold hue. The aroma is nearly flawless. It begins with the familiar scent profile of the brand: oak, toffee, raisins, dark cake, and rich caramel. Hints of floral notes, chocolate with almonds, pepper, and then an unusual note for this brand – pineapple. It became quite prominent after about five minutes of airing. After the initial taste, it became slightly oily, with pineapple and toffee. The pineapple aroma was so unexpected that I rated the 'aroma' aspect very highly. The taste, while a bit intense, is straightforward. Caramel, oak spice; very refined and woody. There's a subtle chocolate undertone beneath the woody notes. After a couple of sips, I detected toffee and the pineapple flavor. The finish is pleasant but quite standard. Spicy pepper, ginger; medium length, very enjoyable. A slight hint of sulfur. Oak spice. Overall, it's a decent spirit, quite enjoyable indeed. However, considering it's an 18-year-old expression from this brand, priced over $300, one expects something truly breathtaking and unique. I suspect these high-end spirits sometimes play it safe, aiming to please less experienced drinkers seeking a nice, expensive drink to impress others, rather than offering bold or unconventional notes that might appeal to seasoned enthusiasts. With all that said, my rating for this dram is a rather unexciting 86 out of 100.

Nose: Concentrated apple juice, crystallized citrus rind, preserved ginger, dried grapes. Palate: Deep caramel, spicy ginger, dried grapes, all supported by dark, strained apple cider and caramel sauce, orange peel, subtle milk chocolate. Finish: Faint apple peel bitterness, ginger spice, sweet dried grapes. Score: 83/100 Overall Impression: While the aroma wasn't quite as impressive as the 18 fine oak, it presented considerable depth. I envision a platter laden with assorted dried fruits and nuts mirroring this spirit. Dried apple rings, apricots, golden raisins, crystallized ginger, preserved citrus peel, Turkish delight – elements of all these are present in this pour. It's enjoyable, but nothing particularly remarkable stands out. It's quite agreeable, making me think of a charcuterie board with nuts and dried fruits as its intended accompaniment. That seems to be its primary function. Would I partake if offered? - Yes Would I specifically request it? - No Would I purchase a bottle? - No

Smooth, crisp, and can deliver a gradual yet unexpected punch. This expression changed my mind about Scotch, whiskey, and bourbon! I'm now exploring all of them. Yet, it remains my top pick. Always ensure your initial sip is complimentary. Then, you won't consider the price, and you'll be captivated.

Delicious, but not worth the price. Echoing another's sentiment: Would I drink it if offered: Yes Would I order it: No Would I buy a bottle: No

Notes of oak, bourbon barrel, honeydew, cantaloupe, wood shavings, cherry, strawberry, and green apples.

Orange marmalade, a floral bouquet, hints of sherry, sweet oak, vanilla, and lemon zest.