This was my gateway drug. Discovered at a speakeasy in South Carolina while helping a friend move, it was first real foray into great scotch. Prior to this I had been content to drink Mcelland’s Highland or Clan McGregor as I was a broke bum in my early 20’s. It tasted like liquid heaven.
Paid: $54 for 750ml
Region: Speyside
Distilled / Owned By: Macallan / Edrington Group
43% ABV
Mashbill: 100% malted barley
Cask Type: Sherry Casks
Chill Filtered: Yes
Color Added: No
Drank: Neat, in a glencairn
Color: Burnt Amber
Nose: Chocolate, sherry, dried fruit, ginger, citrus, vanilla
Feel: Light to medium bodied
Taste: Vanilla, cinnamon, yellow cake, toffee & caramel, light roast coffee, raisins.
Finish: Light warmth and medium length, bits of ginger, citrus, dried fruits, and oak.
Overall: Still one of my favorite widely available sherried drams here in the U.S. but as the price keeps climbing and if anything the quality decreasing it tests my love of this classic.
Score: 88/100