Whisky Forum - The Macallan 1824 series - tasting

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

Macallan tasting last night, with the Gold, Amber, Sienna, and Ruby. The last two were both excellent, not sure I had one favourite overall. But I will say that the Sienna was a great all-rounder and the one I would consider buying. The Gold and the Amber were both good (interestingly more people preferred the Gold yesterday though I preferred the Amber) but inferior to the old 10 year-old and as such I wouldn't consider them for entry-level purchases. At the same price bracket, there are so many better options.

No matter how many times I (and others) pressed him, the Macallan representative just wouldn't say how old each bottling was (not even roughly) Razz

Now, I'm fully on board with the idea that age doesn't necessarily equal quality and that good whisky is good whisky regardless of age - BUT there is a correlation between age and price, and if I'm paying Â£120 for a whisky I'd like to at least have a ballpark figure of how old it is. Glenfiddich for example were open about the Snow Phoenix being a vatting of 13-30 year old whiskies.

Having said all that, the Macallan guy was very honest about the distillery's thinking behind all this, and did concede that it's partly for financial reasons. Also - even though he wouldn't mention age - he gave a lot of detail about the casks used: for example the Gold is about 50-50 1st and 2nd fill sherry casks (both American and European oak) whereas the Ruby is almost exclusively 1st fill.

He did also mention chill-filtering, explaining that, while Macallan do chill-filter their products, it's a very light chill-filtration at around 3-4 degrees (which apparently produces the same results as barrier-filtering on a cold day in Scotland). I wasn't aware there were different degrees of chill-filtration so that was interesting to find out. A great evening overall, and the Sienna was probably the star of the show.

Kava · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 12:21 pm Post subject:

I have tasted all 4 whiskies in the Macallan 1824 series and agree in this instance the lack of age statement doest effect the quality of the whisky, i particularly enjoy the Macallan Sienna, and the entry level Gold was good but not sherried enough to replace the discontinued Macallan 10 sherryoak.

Quaich1 · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 1:45 pm Post subject:

Alex, I enjoyed your review of the Macallan tasting evening.
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Kray · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:17 pm Post subject:

I think the 1824 range is partly the result of increased demand and not enough mature aged stock to fill that demand so some very skillful blending of varied ages has taken place and with very good results, of course the other reason behind the range will be money/profit. As you say Alex it would have been good if the Macallan gave a "ballpark figure" for the age, at least for the Ruby which they are asking big money for, it is superb but i do think age and price is very much connected when you start getting into the higher price range for whisky.

drPete · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:55 pm Post subject:

I find Gold hugely overpriced and very disappointing - it's a Â£20 own brand supermarket malt put in a big Mac bottle.

If you won't tell me how old it is I won't tell you how much I'll pay for it ..,...
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Craven · Triple Malt Member Joined: 10 Mar 2010 Posts: 218

I have to say i did like the Macallan Gold, i really couldnt fault it but it was a little disappointing as far as sherry level goes, it didnt match up the the old Macallan 10 sherryoak for sherry influence, i think the Macallan could do with tweeking the amount of sherried malt that goes into the mix for the Gold, when i drink Macallan i expect a decent sherry influence. As said above there are a few other excellent choices of sherry styled malts for the same price and less.

Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

Craven, according to the Macallan rep yesterday the Gold (like the others) is fully matured in sherry casks, but a big proportion is from refill casks which would explain the lighter style. By contrast, the Ruby is fully first fill sherry.

Big Mac · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 3:54 am Post subject:

I have tried all of the new 1824 range both the travel retail and domestic range and although i wanted to, i can not faullt any of them. The Macallan Ruby and Sienna are superb and i have had a lot of Macallan in my time, The dropping of age statements for profit is common practice now i think and we will see more no age statements from more distilleries in the near future,

I have only had 1 bottle of the Macallan Gold and i didnt consider price at all and i very much enjoyed it. Far from a heavily sherried dram but still a decent light sherried dram.

GBrough · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 7:59 am Post subject:

I have had the Directors Edition bottling and it was fantastic a bit light with a strong vanilla and tobacco note.
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Alexppp · Master Of Malts Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 1791

Samson · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2014 2:17 am Post subject:

Alll 4 of the new Macallans are available here now, i picked up a bottle of the Macallan Amber after reading posts here after reading Williams review of the range but havent opened it yet, $300 CN here for the Macallan Ruby which is a big price tag but i am tempted as only good things have been said about it on here.