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3rd July 2020 |
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The Macallan
has extended their Double Cask range
with the addition of a 15 Year Old and
18 Year Old expression.
The Macallan aficionados amongst you
will recall that the first Macallan
Double Cask expression launched back in
October 2016, The Macallan 12 Year Old
Double Cask, it became the Macallan
Double Cask Range in 2018 when it was
joined by the Macallan Double Cask Gold
which was basically the rebranded
Macallan Gold from the discontinued cask
focused Macallan 1824 Series.
The Macallan has now extended the range
with the addition of two new age
statement expressions, The Macallan 15
Year Old Double Cask and the The
Macallan 18 Year Old Double Cask.
The two new additions to the Double Cask
range is the first significant releases
in the Macallan core range under the
watch of Kirsteen Campbell who joined
The Macallan as its new Master Whisky
Maker in October 2019. Kirsteen heads
The Macallan Whisky Mastery Team, a six
person team who all contribute to whisky
creation at the Macallan and they have
stuck to the tried and tested Double
Cask formula for the two new
expressions.
The new Macallan 15 & 18 Year Old Double
Cask whiskies have been created by
bringing new oak from America to Spain,
where the oak casks were crafted and
Sherry-seasoned before being shipped to
the Macallan's distillery on Speyside to
mature for at least 15 & 18 years
respectively. The whisky matured in the
Sherry-seasoned new American oak casks
was then united with whisky aged in
Sherry-seasoned European oak casks.
In days gone by 18 years has always been
a key point in the maturation of The
Macallan, I am sure that the Macallan
fans amongst you will recall a number of
stunning Macallan 18 year old whisky
releases over the years, with many
believing that sherry cask matured
Macallan peaks around this age, it will
certainly be interesting to see what
Kirsteen and the Macallan team have
created.
Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell
commented on the new Double Cask
whiskies saying: "Bringing together
American and European oak sherry
seasoned casks to achieve the perfect
balance of flavours is incredibly
exciting for the Whisky Mastery Team,
and we are proud to offer two new
expressions to this distinctive range
for The Macallan Double Cask fans to
explore. Oak influence is the single
greatest contributor to the quality,
natural colour and distinctive aromas
and flavours at the heart of The
Macallan’s single-malts".
As you would expect for Macallan malts
of this age you will need deep pockets
if you fancy them as an everyday dram,
The Macallan 15 Year Old Double Cask
which has
been bottled at 43% ABV has a RRP of
£100 and the Macallan 18 Year Old Double
Cask which is also bottled at 43% ABV is
priced at £250, you will find the
complete Macallan Double Cask
range including the new 15 and 18 Year
Old expressions available from
specialist online whisky retailers such
as
The Whisky Exchange,
The Whisky Shop and
Master of Malt
|
The Macallan Double Cask Gold Review
|
 Bottled
at 40% ABV.
William
Morrison's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Deep gold.
Nose: Finely balanced honey,
vanilla, orange and raisins.
Taste: Lightly sweet, light
creamy vanilla, chocolate, followed by
raisins, orange and lemon peel, some
light oak spice, cinnamon.
Finish: Bitter sweet, a touch of
cinnamon, a mild slowly drying sherried
oakiness.
Comment:
A nice clean lightly sherried Macallan,
formerly the entry level whisky in the
Macallan 1824 Series but it has now been
rebranded the entry level whisky in the
Macallan Double Cask range.
It really is a lovely delicately sherried easy to
drink Macallan but if you are
looking for a more classic big bold
sherried Macallan I suggest exploring
the other expressions in the Double Cask
range, if you fancy a lighter sherried
Macallan then this is the one.
SMW Score
88/100
|
The Macallan 12 Year Old Double Cask Review
|
 Bottled
at 40% ABV.
William Morrison's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Rich auburn.
Nose: A deliciously enticing nose
of honey, creamy vanilla fudge, sweet fondant orange, a little
apple in their also and just a touch of
fresh oak.
Taste: Honey and orange
citrus laced with a little cinnamon and
ginger leads, toffee and raisins follow,
a touch of vanilla.
Finish: Long, the sherried fruit
fades first leaving the slightly drying
and mildly sweet oak spice.
Comment:
From the enticing nose I expected it to
be sweeter, that's not a criticism,
quite the opposite, the taste that
followed on the palate was of a well balanced deliciously sherried,
mature
Macallan that has touches of the
old Macallan Fine oak but it is still sure to put a smile on
the faces of the fans of sherried
Macallan.
SMW Score
90/100
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The Macallan 15 Year Old Double Cask Review
|
 Bottled
at 43% ABV.
Producer's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Golden butterscotch.
Nose: Dried fruit, toffee and
vanilla with smooth oak and baked apple.
Balanced with notes of honey and
chocolate.
Taste: Sweet raisin and
sultana builds with hints of vanilla,
wood spice and citrus.
Finish: Warm with ginger turning
to caramel and citrus, with a lingering
and creamy mouth feel.
|
The Macallan 18 Year Old Double Cask Review
|
 Bottled
at 43% ABV.
Producer's Tasting Notes:
Colour:
Amber honey.
Nose: Dried fruit, ginger and
toffee. Rich orange with hints of clove
and nutmeg.
Taste: Rich raisin and sultana with notes of caramel,
vanilla and ginger, balanced by wood
spice and zesty citrus.
Finish: Warm oak spice with
ginger, turning to sweet orange.
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Where To Buy Whisky Online
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specialist Whisky shops who delivers to
you:
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