Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak Cask

Following my journey through some Macallan expressions, I'm now sampling their 18 year 2020 bottling, which is at 43% ABV. The aroma is smooth and rich, presenting powdered sugar-dusted balsamic strawberries, sweet lemon-lime sorbet, and aged leather-bound books. It's followed by espresso, dark chocolate-covered hazelnuts, caramelized figs, and a hint of sweet pipe tobacco, then nectarines, poached pears, and orange blossoms. This progresses to ginger, cloves, cardamom, and polished antique furniture, with minimal alcohol sting. The taste has a medium body, beginning with a blend of sweet, creamy tropical fruits, balsamic strawberries, lemon-lime sorbet, and dusty leather-bound books. This is met by a mild bitter spice that quickly subsides into dark chocolate spicy mocha, figgy pudding, hazelnuts, subtle earthy minerality, and faint pipe smoke. Next come pear tart, blueberries, and mandarin oranges, leading to ginger, cloves, cardamom, and polished antique furniture, with little alcohol burn. The finish is medium in length, featuring 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 trying the 17 year, I was thrilled to sample the 18 year, and it definitely met expectations. The nose is a masterfully constructed blend of aromas, starting with a slight tartness balanced by creamy citrus and aged oak. The oak presence fades but remains in the background, supporting decadent fruits, well-aged sherry, and mild sweet earthy spices. This carries over to the palate with a gentle spice and the addition of earthy minerality and tropical fruits, maintaining the exceptional harmony from the nose. The finish begins with creamy sweetness before fading into mild spices and aged, dusty oak. I'm genuinely impressed by the flavor, complexity, and depth Macallan achieves at a relatively low ABV, making it enjoyable for both strong spirit enthusiasts and those who prefer a milder dram. However, these bottles come at a significant cost, appearing to be around $350+, but at least it's a high-quality product that should satisfy.

The Macallan 18 year old was the first single malt I purchased that exceeded $100. I had heard excellent things and, after a promotion, spent almost $180 on it. Reflecting now, I regret not buying more than one bottle, as its price continues to climb, and while it might not be as exceptional as I recall, it remains a very good whisky. Immediately, the sherry influence is noticeable, with prominent fruit notes like raspberries or strawberries. On the palate, the oak is present with pleasant cherry flavors, along with some stone fruit, suggesting apricots. It has a very rich and smooth mouthfeel. The finish is quite long, with minimal to no burn, and some enjoyable tobacco and chocolate notes. It might not match the 25 year old, but considering the value (difficult to say when it costs well over $200), it's likely the superior choice. I might be somewhat influenced because it was my first significant purchase, but I still believe it holds its own and is a very fine single malt scotch.

Legendary Whisky enthusiasts seem to be taking a stance against Macallan lately, particularly Macallan 18. It's certainly not inexpensive. It's a common choice for well-dressed individuals in expensive restaurants, many of whom are unaware of its exceptional quality and the lengthy maturation required for an 18-year-old spirit. Nevertheless, it's a powerful presence, and any dedicated whisky enthusiast must acknowledge it. It's time for a moment of calm, everyone: you might believe it costs too much, has a pretentious reputation, or isn't as good as other options. However, it sets a standard you can't influence, so may you find the acceptance to recognize this undeniable truth. Lovely, deep tawny orange hue. The rich aroma presents dried fruit, figs, sweet brown sugar, spiced baked goods, citrus zest, and creamy vanilla. The texture on the palate is smooth and thick, with mild spice, a hint of ginger, and notes of coffee on the extended finish. Profound, refined, and perfectly balanced. 4.5+ score.

Since this bottle is a bit too expensive for me, I decided to splurge on a rather pricey pour at a local establishment. The aroma had a faint resemblance to the 12 I enjoy, but with some distinct variations. For instance, the sherry/oak was noticeable, along with some citrus. Sipping revealed flavors of figs, subtle nuts, and a hint of smoke and oak toward the conclusion. I was expecting it to be exceptionally smooth, but it had a very slight bite and a soft bitterness. It's solid overall, but it didn't outperform the 12 as much as I anticipated.

The nose is rich, with a faint hint of the common Macallan acetone scent. It smells like toffee, very dark fruits, possibly figs. Oak, cinnamon, and clove are also present. The palate is smoother than the nose implies. Very oily, with strong oak notes; the finish is long and full of spices and dark chocolate. A slight alcohol burn, but not very noticeable. It doesn't have the dark fruity flavors of the 12 on the first sip; those emerge on the second. It definitely feels aged, like old, damp wood, musty.

This is a very intricate and full-bodied spirit, aged for at least 18 years in sherry-seasoned oak casks. The aroma presents cinnamon spice with dried fruit and smoky undertones. The taste reveals sweeter fruit, figs, spices, chocolate, and sherry. The smoky finish persists for a considerable time. A friend also enjoys this.