The Macallan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Years Old 43% ABV/86 Proof $40 to $45 Website
What the Distillery Says: The Macallan Sherry Oak is exclusively matured for a minimum of 12 years in Spanish oak casks, handcrafted and sherry seasoned in Jerez, Spain. This delivers a classic Macallan style, wonderfully rich in colour with dried fruits, spice and chocolate orange.
What Richard Says: Nose: The nose on this one is a little meaty with a lot of sherry and savory notes. There’s also a little of an odd rubbery smell to it at times. Palate: This one is rich with a little fruity sweetness. The malty and sherry notes stand up and make themselves known. Finish: The finish is a little slow. When it comes in it’s a decent mid length finish with mildly woody notes. Comments: It’s funny because this is always one of those drams that I always remember liking better. No matter how often I have it the memory is always a little better than the actual experience. Don’t get me wrong, this is easily a stand out 12 year old single malt. It’s popular for a reason. It’s enjoyable, drinkable, and I’ll never turn one down when offered. Rating: Stands Out
What the Distillery Says: An innovative approach to twice-barreled bourbon creates the rich and colorful flavor of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Uniquely matured in separate, charred oak barrels – the second barrel deeply toasted before a light charring – extracts additional amounts of soft, sweet oak character.
The overwhelming response to our master’s collection seasoned oak finish offering inspired us to create a twice-barreled bourbon that is available year-round. Uniquely matured in our handcrafted white oak barrels, the second barrel deeply toasted before a light charring, creates Woodford Reserve Double Oaked – a smooth, full-bodied expression with a long, rich finish that we are proud to share with others who are as passionate about bourbon as we are.
Maturation in a new, charred oak barrel provides Woodford Reserve with all of its natural color and a great deal of its award-winning flavor. This double oaked expression has been uniquely matured in two separate, custom crafted barrels. The second was deeply toasted before its light charring. The double barreling of mature Woodford Reserve in this unique barrel allows the spirit to extract an additional amount of soft, sweet oak character. This unique practice has created bourbon that is rich in honey, chocolate, marzipan and spiced apple character.
Color: Deep amber Aroma: Rich notes of dark fruit, caramel, sharp honey, chocolate, marzipan and toasted oak. Taste: A full-bodied mix of vanilla, dark caramel, hazelnut, apple, fruit and spices. Finish: Long and creamy with lingering hints of honeyed apple.
What Richard Says: Nose: This reminds me of snickerdoodles with vanilla ice cream: vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar. After it opens up a little the sugar turns into a fruity caramel. Palate: Holy crap that’s good! It’s like Woodford taken to the next level. You’re hit with a blast of fruity oak infused sweetness but it’s not overpowering. Lots of vanilla and caramel. Really tasty. Finish: Golden delicious and granny smith apples on a long oaky finish that mellow into a rich creaminess. Comments: Brown Forman says they went for this expression after the response they got to the Seasoned Oak release a few years back. Well, they went out and did one better. This is a worthy line extension and a superior Woodford. Rating: Must Try
I would like to thank Brittany Gilbert with Brown Forman for sending me a sample for review.
The Macallan Elegancia Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 12 Years Old 40% ABV/80 Proof Collectible (at time of release it was about $55/liter)
What the Distillery Says: Unfortunately, because this is a retired expression not much is available on it directly from the distillery. I can tell you that it was a duty free exclusive launched in 2002. Also, it was continually available in 1 liter bottles until it’s recent replacement by the 1824 Collection of Travel Retail exclusive offering.
What Richard Says: Nose: I really like the nose on this. I get lots of oranges and candied nuts. Side-by-side with the standard 12 Year Old it’s more delicate and refined. Palate: The palate is much more reserved and a little less sweet than the standard 12. I still get the rich, malty, sherry notes of the standard expression but it’s a little more delicate. Finish: This dram is very short and surprisingly clean on the finish. It leaves behind a little oak and some nuttiness. Comments: This is like a lighter expression of the standard 12 Year Old. While that plays well on the nose and finish I feel it’s a little too delicate on the palate. I don’t really like one over the other. It’s more like two sides of the same coin. Rating: Stands Out
