Macallan 1988

16 year old Speyside 56.6 % vol

One of only 300 bottles from cask no. 4922

Having made a virtue of the ex-sherry cask for many years, Macallan has recently discovered that refill American wood presents a whole new range of aromas and flavours, deriving more from the excellent inherent character of the spirit, rather than the wood. We have long known this, and this cask is an example. The whisky is yellow-gold in colour and the first nose somewhat closed, but with a curious carnation note in the background. Water brings up the light coconut (even, later Bounty Bars) one associates with American oak, traces of Madeira cake (with Maraschino cherries), and an exotic trace of spice in the distance (Garam Masala?). The flavour is very sweet to start, with traces of cherry, drying in the medium length finish.

<<< Back