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Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak

Liquid Insolvency

0 589

@TheConscienceReview by @TheConscience

1st Jul 2012

0

Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Oak
  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
    ~
  • Finish
    ~
  • Balance
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  • Overall
    89

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

The LCBO is keen to remind everyone that this expression was, at one time, so popular worldwide that stocks were virtually depleted. Well, fear not, for the intrepid purchasers at the LCBO have ample enough supply to see everyone through the next Global Macallan 18 Armageddon. Sadly, at $250 a bottle it rarely seems to venture much further than from its vaunted position in the vintages section.

I should not complain, though. This bottle was a gift from my brother on account of my fecundity. Smitten by Macallan 12, he felt that the 18 yo expression would be a suitable step up. Macallan 18 is aged exclusively in Oloroso sherry casks from Jerez, Spain. That's exclusive sherry aging - not a sherry finish, or hint o' sherry, or tickled by sherry, or a hot sherry injection. So, if you are after a nice sherried whisky you could do much worse than this Macallan.

Nose: you guessed it - sherry. Definitely grapey, with lots of dark fruit, fruitcake, spice, orange, and hint of cream. A great nose.

Palate: quite silky and smooth, until the spice emerges. Sweet arrival, with grape and dark fruit emerging in the development. There is bitter orange, vanilla, and a drying tannic spice that is wonderfully balanced by the initial sweetness.

Finish: the hint of sweet grape and sherry devolves into a long, drying finish with a pleasant spice.

Overall, a wonderful sipping dram. I would never pay $250 for it, but I certainly wouldn't turn it away. This one of my first drams (my 'gateway' dram, as they say), so it was nice to be able to return to it and spend a little time getting to know it better.

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5 comments

@RoganFox
RoganFox commented

Have to agree. Love the Macallan 18 but at $250 here in Vancouver also, it just does not make much sense to buy a bottle.

12 years ago 0

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

I picked up a bottle at the distillery last year. It was 76 pounds, roughly $125. Can. exactly half of the ridiculous price in BC. The other issue here is the very limited and predicable selection. Something has got to change here soon

12 years ago 0

@TheConscience
TheConscience commented

I should probably curb my complaints. BC, more so than Ontario, is one place in Canada that is prohibitive to the scotch lover. I suggest shopping in New Brunswick - decent selection, and very reasonable prices (for the most part).

12 years ago 0

@RoganFox
RoganFox commented

@BlueNote let's hope it changes one day as it makes buying Scotch a rather expensive hobby and with the selection here often very frustrating !!

12 years ago 0

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

Calgary has far greater selection and much better prices. Maybe liquor distribution will get privatized in BC one of these days.

12 years ago 0