Macallan Amber 1824 Series

Nose: Raisins, citrus, sherry, vanilla, lemon oil, hints of pineapple, something spicy (perhaps ground cinnamon?), old paper. Quite fresh and fruity overall. Palate: Pleasantly dry upon entry and through development, but no bitterness or sourness at any point. Sherry and fruit are the initial tastes. Development introduces a sweeter note and then a very unexpected wave of rich sherried fruitcake with sweet preserved citrus peel, glacé cherries, and almonds. Quite delicious. The palate isn't complex, just a few key flavor components, but they combine into a very pleasant whole. Texture is good, though a little thin. Finish: Quite short, becoming sweet and more like bread and butter pudding, dried fruits, a little sour/bitter hint of grapefruit, which is quite nice, and a lingering touch of anise or fennel. There is an unmistakable kinship between this and the 1824 Gold expression, but Amber is a definite step up. Richer overall with the fruitiness being more sweet/tropical instead of bright and bracing. The cereal notes are deeper as well, being more like cake than biscuits. I think the basic distillate is probably the same but just given different wood treatment. This is fairly cask-driven, but subtle about it. It's just coming into summer here and the day is clear and warm - this whisky suits it perfectly. Tasted from a 30ml sampler - I may buy a bottle and it would sit on the shelf next to Arran Lochranza Reserve and Compass Box Asyla. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

The contest for the whisky welterweight championship begins. In one corner, the Canadian champion Canadian Club 20 Year, and in the other, Scotland's finest, Macallan Amber. Who will win, Jim Murray? You think Canadian Club will take it? Hmm, given Jim's history, it might not look good for the Canadian if he's being paid to promote rather than give his honest opinion. But as we know, the judge is heavily biased against anything Macallan. It's a difficult match. Macallan starts smooth and potent. On the left, candied oranges and vanilla; on the right, toffee and caramel. It's not an overwhelmingly complex combination, but it's more than enough for CC's weak and bland sweetness. MA holds its own for the round, but CC is knocked out of the ring and unceremoniously dumped down the sink by the server. The judge, for once, is impressed, as Macallan's share of the prize money truly matches its capability this time at $70 a bottle. 3.5 - 3.75, rounded up to a 4 for the three initials usually not associated with the word Macallan... good value for money. Unfortunately, once his promoter hears those three letters, he drops MA immediately, not wanting to diminish his brand's value.

1L. Matured in sherry casks, this offers fuller flavor than the Gold while being more delicate than the Sienna. Unsurprisingly, it is amber in color and fragrant with aromas of citrus, orange peel, spice, peat, and smoke; the taste is complex with smoke, ginger, dried fruits, apricots, and cinnamon that lingers on a long finish. COLOR Amber NOSE Polite, almost apologetic at first, with a floral, citrus sweet aroma that gains presence, commanding a chorus of vanilla notes over freshly harvested grain. Raisin, sultana, and cinnamon look on as toffee apples and candy floss step into the limelight. PALATE Fresh green apples and lemons mingle with cinnamon. Ginger notes hover as fruit takes over, with subtle oak lingering in the wings. FINISH Light to medium with soft fruits and cereal, slightly dry.

This serving requires time to develop. To truly appreciate it, several glasses are needed over an evening. It begins with floral and fruity notes, the palate is clean, sweet, with a hint of candied orange peel. I find its texture gently coating and agreeable, with some cinnamon or spice toward the end. The finish is of medium length; the oak character seems aged, almost musty. It possesses a slight bitterness initially and is somewhat drying. Overall, this is an acceptable and mild Scotch. I believe the price paid significantly influences one's enjoyment. Since it was a gift, I can appreciate it. However, I'm uncertain if it justifies the prices I've observed.

The whisky originates from ex-sherry puncheon and butt casks, crafted from American and European oak, primarily refill. Nose Gentle, with notes of raisins, apples, pears, vanilla, honey, milk chocolate, and a touch of nutmeg and pepper. Taste Subtle, featuring dried figs, dates, cherries, brown sugar, vanilla cream, roasted nuts, and a pinch of cinnamon. Finish Quite long, with hints of honey-infused breakfast cereal, vanilla, cinnamon, and oak.

Not very strong initially, with a bit of spice, like cinnamon, towards the end. It doesn't have a very long finish, especially when paired with a cigar. I once tried it with a Romeo & Juliet cigar; they complemented each other well on the palate, but the cigar's flavor quickly overshadowed the Macallan's. Nevertheless, it's still a very good whiskey, it just lacks the extended finish of the more aged Macallans.