Whisky Tasting 22: Macallan Cask Strength from Speyside, Sco

The Macallan cask strength runs at a whooping 57.7%. It does not have an age statement in the label but reads "Exclusively matured in selected sherry casks from Jerez, Spain, then bottled at original cask strength without chill filtration." It's has an assertive alcoholic nose with the typical honey, sherry and light ginger scent. Upon tasting, it has the above with profound malty sweetness and buttery spicy Christmas fruit cake. The body is medium but lacks the roundness of the Macallan 12, 15 or 18 years old. With a dash of water, it gave a stronger nose but it still lacks the roundness or extra depth. I imagine this would be good as an excellent base for blending but it lacks 'something' standing on its own. The finish is good. (Rating 85-87 points) by Michael Lam of the Beverage Review.

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Entertainment

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• Whisky
• Tasting
• Beverage
• Review
• Michael
• Lam

[soulchanter]

i love the macallan

lagavulin 16

and tallisker 10

[michaelyblam]

You the man - I like all you mentioned too plus Springbank, Highland Park and...

[soulchanter]

what type of water do you use Michael?

since i am used to using water from the region where it came from..

also you were talking about oloroso sherry casks

that reminds me of one of my simple favourites..

The dalmore 12 years it's a very simple and smooth whiskey (according to my own humble experience) ...

Really glides down the throat...

[michaelyblam]

I normally just use filtered tap water which is neutral enough. I also occasionally use bottled water / distilled water. The Dalmore 12 is an excellent sherry cask finished example. It's a everyday, pleasing, smooth sipping whisky that is versatile. However, if you have a chance to taste side by side with say, the Macallan original 12 then you will realise that it's smaller in every dimension. For pricing, the Dalmore 12 is fair especially when all malts are getting expensive now a days!

[pirateale]

Good taste my friend, thats a nice cask. the last cask i tried really blew my sock off. Aberlour a'bunadh, def worth the money. each batch i different but typ 60+%. single speyside with tons of fruit, in my humble opinion to strong to drink with out water and occasion. sill a fav.

[michaelyblam]

Aberlour a'bunadh - I had 2 or 3 different batches of the stuff. It's beautiful, Not only the fruit you mentioned but it's tingling gingery taste intermixes with the sweet maltiness make the drink very complex. I had it with and without water depending on my mood and it was equally fantastic. Indeed, one of the best value Cask Strength malts around.

[schmazly2]

I like this review, and agree with the Christmas cake! Was watching Peatluver's review of this and kept waiting for him to mention it, which he of course did not. Ralfy doesn't cover Macallan all that much, so I wanted to compare notes with someone. I also agree that the 12 is more full in it range of flavours, and think that a'bunadh is a batter bang for the buck. That said, sometimes a phenolic blast of Christmas cake is exactly what my pallet is looking for! Thanks for the review!

[Jboxton]

Nice. A chink reviewing scotch. I actually like your reviews and have been watching them all. Do you wash the scotch down with some General Tsos? :)

[gaelicscots]

You really love your Whisky

[Deadcrows1981]

I have a one liter oak cask, not chared but mediumed. How do I use it for the simple pleasures of whisky?

[BA0084]

roger federer fan? me too :)

i am loving these n/t vids thak you.

just one big problem, not long enough :)