A Muddled Thought

This past summer we wrote about Macallan’s release of several limited bottlings targeted at the Travelers Retail Market. Known as the Macallan 1824 Collection, it took us the last several months to get our hands on two of the four bottlings.

So was the wait worth it to try the Macallan 1824 Collection?

If the Select Oak and Whisky Maker’s edition are reflective of the rest of the collection, then the wait was definitely worthy of the impression the spirit left on us.

The Macallan Select Oak is created by combining whiskey aged in American Oak Barrels that have been seasoned with either sherry or bourbon and first fill European oak casks seasoned with sherry. This gives birth to a whiskey that starts with hints of mint, followed up by a smooth silky vanilla inklings of black licorice, and toasted coconut.

Occasionally a hint of milk chocolate will sneak out and overpower the palate, before returning you to the previously mentioned flavors
The Select Oak finishes with hints of black cherry, cocoa powder, and hints of cinnamon.

A whiskey that’s just the right amount of everything, not to harsh, not too mellow, as the fairy tale put it “just right”.

Final Score: 8.5/10

With the Whisky Maker’s Edition, Macallan’s Master Distiller Bob Dalgarno individual selects some of his favorite aged sherry and bourbon-seasoned casks, which are then bottled at 42.8% .
The personal touch of this selection process offers a spirit rich with very forward flavors of orange zest, and allspice that are ultimately joined by the presence of toffee and espresso.

On additional tastings, notes of candied pears and caramel peeked out.
The spirit finishes with a smooth candied ginger finish that leaves remnants of smoke on the tongue.

Final Score 9/10