Macallan 25 Year Sherry Oak Cask

I spent a couple of days deciding on the dram for my 100th review on the Barreled app. After considering several worthy contenders, I chose this 25-year-old Macallan to mark the occasion. This Speyside single malt has matured for a quarter-century in sherry oak casks and is bottled at 43% ABV. Like all Macallans, it possesses a natural color. Its deep mahogany hue suggests it might be non-chill filtered. A good friend generously provided a 1 oz sample. While I appreciate any amount, the smaller portion meant I couldn't conduct my usual in-depth analysis, but here it is. The nose is very mature, as expected for a 25-year-old. It features warm toasted oak upfront, followed by sherried raisins, sweet dried fruits, oranges, red grapes, light cinnamon, and apples. Aged vanilla and a blend of dark and milk chocolate (roughly 3:1 ratio) are present, along with ample honey and mixed berry/cherry pie notes. It's a lovely and elegant aroma. The palate is also elegant. It starts with a burst of spice, oak, and wood smoke, then notes of raisins, dates, apricots, and honeyed black tea. There's a slight oak-induced bitterness, but it's not unpleasant. The mouthfeel is light to medium-bodied, silky, creamy, and slightly oily, finishing dry on the palate. The finish is medium in length, with notes of oak tannins, sherried oak, cherry syrup, and a hint of smoke. This is by far the most expensive spirit I've ever tasted. My friend purchased his bottle for $1300, and buying one here in Michigan would cost a prohibitive $1800. It's exceptionally elegant and smooth. I was surprised by the level of smoke; it's not Islay-level, but it's noticeable for a Macallan. The finish has a bitterness that detracts slightly from an otherwise wonderful scotch. While a very good dram, I don't believe it justifies an $1800 price tag. Personally, I find the Rare Cask Black to be a superior option. Nevertheless, I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to sample such a rare and costly scotch. Thanks again to my friend. 4.75 Cheers

Continuing my exploration of Macallan releases, I'm sampling their 25-year 2020 edition, bottled at 43% ABV. The nose presents a rich yet smooth blend, starting with powdered sugar-dusted cherries jubilee, sweet lemon-lime custard, and old leather-bound books, followed by blonde espresso, dark chocolate-covered hazelnuts, caramelized figs, a musty, cavernous minerality, and sweet pipe tobacco. It then moves to pear tart, mango, and persimmons, finishing with ginger, cloves, cardamom, and polished antique furniture, showing minimal alcohol burn. The palate has a medium body, beginning with a sweet, creamy mix of tropical fruits, cherries jubilee, lemon-lime custard, and dusty leather-bound books. This is followed by a mild, bitter spice that quickly fades into dark chocolate spicy mocha, caramelized figs, hazelnuts, cavernous minerality, and sweet pipe smoke. It concludes with pear tart, sautéed mangoes, and persimmons, transitioning to ginger, cloves, cardamom, and freshly lacquered antique furniture, with low alcohol burn. The finish is long, featuring creamy tropical fruits, persimmons, figgy pudding, cavernous minerality, spicy dark chocolate mocha, sweet pipe tobacco, dusty leather-bound books, and freshly lacquered antique furniture. This is an exceptional dram that has aged beautifully over 25 years, displaying outstanding harmony between creamy citrus, well-matured sherry, aged oak, and minerality. These elements integrate seamlessly, with a very subtle bitter spice on the palate that quickly disappears, leading into a long finish that lingers for minutes. At over $2500 per bottle, this is unlikely to be a purchase for my collection, but it is undoubtedly a very high-quality, expertly crafted dram. It was a pour I'd always wanted to try, and I'm glad to have crossed it off my list.

A raisin-like aroma, clearly showing sherry influence. Sherry dominates, with raisins and spice. It has an oily texture and a rich, spicy flavor. Nuts are present, almost chewy. There's some tannic astringency from the wood and aging, with a slightly herbal character. I detected a hint of vanilla as I drank more. The finish has dry wood and some smoke. I acquired this for $250 in 2002; it now sells for over $1,000. It's good. Perhaps it's worth $250, but certainly not over $1,000; I could get 15-20 excellent bottles for the price of one of these. It's delicious, but I have other preferences and would feel less hesitant about drinking other options.

A friend gave me a sample of this bottling. The 2018 edition suggests it was produced around 1992-1993, right before the distillery decreased the amount of golden promise barley in 1994. Nose: Dried fruits like raisins and prunes, cherries, dates, chocolate oranges, apples, floral notes, cinnamon, pepper, savory meat characteristics, and vanilla. Palate: Raisins, toffee, cherries, chocolate, oak, pepper, meatiness, and figs. Finish: Floral notes, oak, raisins, chocolate, and pepper. Excellent spirit, but I find it doesn't quite live up to its potential or price point. Comparing it directly with Glengoyne 25, I thought the Glengoyne 25 was superior.

I sampled this without knowing what it was (thanks to a friend!!)...my initial guess was that it was aged over 15 years, likely 20-25, due to its extreme silkiness. I thought it was either a Speysider or a Highlander. Flavors of stewed fruits and red berries. I guessed a Port finish because of its color. I was completely mistaken about the Port finish...little did I realize I was experiencing something rare. (And to think I was casually enjoying this while playing a board game with my young child). Pure elegance from beginning to end...an amazing experience. I would not have the financial means to purchase this, making it all the more memorable, thanks to my friend!

This spirit feels like a historical artifact. I saved it for a special occasion, but ended up enjoying it on a regular evening. The initial aroma presents sweet, spicy citrus with hints of vanilla and other fruits. Adding water enhances the aroma, revealing prominent raisin and oatmeal notes. The palate is rich and fruity, dominated by raisins, with subtle spicy wood and vanilla undertones. The finish is remarkably smooth, with the chewy, sweet raisin-oatmeal notes persisting.