Macallan Age Statements

@SafetyPylon - I haven't a clue, but if they have - then they better be prepared for financial disaster as we're seeing many like Ralfy, and Serge, and others taking a stand against NAS whisky.

The standard range of accessible Scotches by Macallan have switched to NAS. In and of itself that does not mean the whisky is bad. However, from what I understand, the new NAS "colors" are not worth the heavily inflated price. Unfortunately their quality NAS expression, the cask strength (formerly 10 YO), has also been discontinued.

I believe, but have No confirmation, that some of the older ones like the 25 year old may remain available.

But why pay $1000 for 43% chill filtration when you can buy 10 better tasting younger bottles?

Never been a fan of Macallan because of the high price and focus on the brand, seems like just a way to charge more money for younger spirit to me.

@SafetyPylon, drop on down to my county for 500+ bottles of Mac 12 Sherry Oak still in inventory. Until Feb 3rd, the sale price is $ 52.31 incl. tax.

Appreciate in value? Wine-searcher.com lists the current average UK price for Mac 12 Sherry Oak as $ 116. We are just maybe 12 months behind the UK in disappearing the whisky.

@Victor How I wish we had some available in Canada! I'd love to get some Mac 12 Sherry before its all gone.

In the UK the whisky exchange has a 10 YO Mac CS for GBP 150!

@mscottydunc

How does it compare to the Mac CS? I tried the 25 year Macallan before my palate was mature and I found it on doc thin. Not sure if I would want to chase down a branded 12 YO.

As I have recently red @SafetyPylon in the Malt Whisky Yearbook 2015, another reason for Whiskies going NAS is that the volums of readily available whisky are dropping fast. I quote page 35 "Ten years ago people were predicting we were going to run out of old stock. And now we have! As a result, prices have gone through the roof, both in retail outlets and at auction." "One outcome has been no-age-statement (NAS) bottlings, which some maight say are a necessary evil,".......

@bourbondrinker Last month I picked up a bottle of Oban 'Little Bay NAS...Was $5 more than the standard 14 yr Oban...Chatted with the manager of the store for a bit, and he informed me that his suppliers had told him to expect alot more NAS scotch whisky to hit the shelves in the next year.

I understand why NAS exists, but just don't understand why in some cases it costs more than age stated expressions. Age stated should be more. It's odd,

@maltygirl

It's all marketing. Because they don't tell you what's in it, they can tell you whatever they think will make you think it's a premium product.

To me a premium product is something that is extra good. Some NAS whiskies ARE that good (A'BUnadh, Mac CS) . Some age-stated whiskies ARE that good (Bladnoch 10 55% Sherry cask)

Others just aren't.

@Nozinan I have not had the privilege of trying the Mac CS so I can't tell you. But I have had the 12 Sherry Cask and its delicious.

There's one particular whisky fan on the web who always jumps into NAS discussions at about this point to remind us that NAS isn't a production method or a blending decision, but a labeling & marketing strategy. His online handle eludes me at the moment, but I always appreciate his emphasis of that idea.

@Nozinan, I'm not a Macallan guy (or a sherried whisky guy in general), but I have had both the Mac CS and the 10. The CS used to be the standout powerhouse featured at my local shops' malt tastings, which I never bought because of the "ridiculous" (to me at the time) price of $60 USD. I loved it. The 10, on the other hand, used to be the only malt at the bar nearest my house, which I mildly enjoyed annually as my free birthday shot. To me, it's 100% "meh." So if you love the CS and think the 10 might be worth a dip in the pool, I'd suggest keeping that toe dry.