Macallan 1976

30 year old Speyside 45.3 % vol

1 of only 206 bottles from cask no. 2749

Classic Macallan comes from ex-sherry casks: the new make has an oily richness which matures perfectly in such wood, but with very old casks, such as this, the wood can take over completely. The first indication that this has not happened here is the colour – deep amber, with tawny and mahogany lights, indicating a re-fill cask (unusually this turns out to be an ex-sherry hogshead, not a butt). The nose has that wonderful ‘rancio’ note only found in venerable whiskies: rich and fruity, with orange peel and Coopers Oxford marmalade; alcoholic Christmas cake with marzipan, the latter moving towards Manilla envelopes after a while. A mild nosefeel, but still with vitality. The flavour at natural strength is cognac-like: sweet and fruity. Water adds some faded lavender to the mix, and natural turpentine, and the flavour now is sweet then gently drying in a very long finish, leaving an after-taste reminiscent of a maturation warehouse. A superb example of The Macallan at its prime.

Winner of the Speyside Award of Excellence and a Gold Medal, Malt Maniacs' Awards 2006

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