The Macallan - 16 May 2008 @ 7pm GMT

[Willie JJ]

Bye Ryan. I will be gone before you get back I think as I have to get up early for the train to Ayr and Whisky and A' That V.

Cheers

[mikeymad]

I guess that I got a lot of work to do when I get home. Need to get this thread up to a post count worthy of the Macallan....

Cheers,

[Ras Mazunga]

Good evening, finally I can join had to friendly ask some people to leave the house...
I am sipping the FO 15, what cask is used for this whisky?
Smelling some vanilla with spices then the fresh cut pencil keeps coming back, but in a friendly way though.

[mikeymad]

Cheers Ras,

The FO15 (and I think the series) it a vatting of Sherry Matured Casks and Bourbon matured casks. Not double matured (or finished). But two seperate types of cases mixed together.

[Willie JJ]

Hi Ras
Glad you could make it.

The Fine Oak range uses ex-bourbon casks so that's where the vanilla comes from.

[Ras Mazunga]

I'm suprised people are picking up sherry notes but I don't. There is not much sweetness in the fo15, I would say refill bourbon cask.
If also sherry is used it won't be a lot. I wonder what is on the Mac site:
The Macallan Fine Oak is triple cask matured in a unique, complex combination of exceptional oak casks;

1. European oak casks seasoned with sherry impart a rich character with hints of dried fruits, spice and chocolate orange.

2. American oak casks seasoned with sherry deliver delicate hints of citrus lemon, coconut and toffee sweetness.

3. American oak casks seasoned with bourbon deliver floral aromas and sweet notes of vanilla and fresh fruits.

This triple cask combination delivers an extraordinarily smooth, delicate yet complex Single Malt matured at The Macallan distillery for a minimum of 15 years.

[mikeymad]

From the FO label:

"a unique combination of both bourbon and sherry oak casks"

And Willie's got it right, it is hard to pick out the vanilla from a ex-Sherry cask, it is there (coming from the Oak), but it has be huge to be heard (tasted).

Cheers,

[Willie JJ]

Interesting. It doesn't offer the proportions of the three cask types I guess.

[mikeymad]

Thanks for the info Ras...

As they say 'everyone smells different things'. I remember there being 'some' influence from Sherry in the FO15. But it would all depend on the blending of the casks. Last time that I had it was when it first came out. The blend may have changed since then.

Cheers,

[Dram fine idea]

That's me back. I have a miniature of 10 YO Macallan sherry oak which I bought back in 98 or 99. The tastes have all been commented on earlier - namely sherry and oranges. It is very juicy and smooth and a touch of wood at the edges of the mouth reveal age greater than 10 years (perhaps). So much more smooth than current bottlings of the 10 yo. A real treat. Unusually the stopper in the bottle is a miniature cork just like in a full size bottle.

[mikeymad]

Interesting. It doesn't offer the proportions of the three cask types I guess.

Can't give away the 'secret' formula, then you could just make it yourself.

Willie's own Tesco Macallan....

Cheers,

[Willie JJ]

Welcome back DFI.

[mikeymad]

Unusually the stopper in the bottle is a miniature cork just like in a full size bottle.

Very cool DFI... I have a few Mac 12yo Sherry 50ml that have the cork. They work well when sealed, but after that, they are not very reliable for re-useing or trading samples.

Cheers,

[Dram fine idea]

I also have a miniature of the 18 yo distilled in 1976, 43% vol, OB.

Colour - deeper than the 10 yo
Nose - More woody, dense, closed. Christmas pudding. Big whisky.
Taste - Wood, then sherried sweetness, dry, spicy
Finish - Smooth, spices. A heavier and deeper feel than the 10 yo.
Comment - Out of the 10 and the 18 yo, I think I prefer the 10 - but these were bought back in 98/99 and the current bottlings are likely to be very different.

[Ras Mazunga]

CS10 58,8%:
dark brown color, nose: oloroso sherry, not so rough on the nose as a GF105, maybe there is more vanille in here? Raisins and walnuts!
taste: for the strenght this is a remarkable easy drink. More sweet than dry
comment: a brilliant whisky.

[mikeymad]

DFI,

The Mac 18's are vintage, and have changed over the years. I found that I like the 70's versions (had 73,78,79) of the 18's better than the more recent releases. They may have had better Sherry cask selection back then. I find the more recent ones a little sharper (slightly harsh). I have always like the big nature of the 18yo, and long finish.

Cheers,

[Dram fine idea]

My third and last Macallan whisky is very different from the 10 yo and 18 yo sherry versions - it is Old Malt Cask 50% abv, 13 years, Nov 93, bottled June 2007, Rum finish barrel (a finish rather than fully matured), cask 3704, no colouring or chill filtration.

I'll be back when I've thought about it.

[Willie JJ]

Last dram of the night:

Macallan 14yo
Brand : Cadenhead's Expression : Macallan-Glenlivet
Nose : Linseed and Candlewax. Hugely oily on the nose. Painty. Searching for the fruit but not finding it. Palate : Stewed apples and barley sugar. This is delicious. Cream and Cocoa. Ever so slightly nutty. Pear drops. Finish : Fizzez along for quite a while. Very spicy (with the mouth coating oiliness). Shortbread. Slightly resinous. Very complex. Comment : Very complex and very long. Best dram of the night for me. Seems younger than either of the 10 yos mainly because the wood influence is minimal, really kicking in only in the finish. This is a fine dram that keeps you interested all the way. Colour : Mid Gold Score : 0
Age : 14 Years Old Vintage : 1990 ABV : 57.6% Bottler : Cadenhead	Type : Single Malt Region : Speyside Water : No Ice : None Glass : Tulip Nosing Glass Notes : bottled May 2005 from a Butt, 654 bottles
More tasting notes by None Please do not reproduce or copy this tasting note without permission.

[mikeymad]

Looks interesting DFI. Please take your time with it...

Cheers,

[mikeymad]

Now that sounds like a very good dram Willie.... Thanks for sharing, and great notes as always.

Cheers,

[Willie JJ]

Its so good I may just have another before signing off.

[mikeymad]

Weeee C57.... good call

Cheers,

[Willie JJ]

Hey Nick. Good to see you back.

[Dram fine idea]

OMC 13 yo rum finish

Colour - lighter than the sherried versions
Nose - floral, sweet, touch spirity (probably the strength)
Taste - Juicy, light, some spice, sweetness
Finish - A continuation of the taste - very good
Comment - Although this is totally different from the sherried versions, it is very enjoyable. Seems like a different distillery. Good with or without water. Water rounds it off slightly.

[Willie JJ]

Nice to see some IBs coming in. That's 2 Society bottlings an OMC and a Cadenhead's.

Have you got any interesting IB Macs Mikey?

Where's Ganga by the way?

[Dram fine idea]

Hi Nick

Good to see you back.

I'm going to follow Willie's lead and have another dram (OMC 13 yo) before I sign off.

Once again, I've enjoyed taking part and a big thank you to Ganga and co for the efforts put in to organise tonight's tasting.

Cheers
DFI

[Willie JJ]

Comments: Not what I expect from Macallan. I may get some more SMWS bottlings

You should try more single cask IBs Nick. Mac can do some great stuff. I just think the younger OBs have somehow been dumbed down.

[mikeymad]

Have you got any interesting IB Macs Mikey?

Where's Ganga by the way?

Ganga has some meeting (proposal) today, So I guess that he is away from his desk, I am just about out of here and will be home soon.

I have a couple things lined up that I can try. We will see when I get there. I know I have some Signatory, Whisky Galore, Murray McDavid, and others.

Cheers,

[Willie JJ]

I'm going to follow Willie's lead and have another dram (OMC 13 yo) before I sign off.

On that basis you could still be here in a couple of hours

[Willie JJ]

Ganga has some meeting (proposal) today,

Ah I remember he mentioned that. Sounds important, I hope its going well.

When will you make it home Mikey? It only takes you about 30mins or so doesn't it?

[Dram fine idea]

Hi Willie

I certainly could be here for a few more hours as I'm really enjoying this dram.

But I've got to get some sleep now.

Cheers everyone and good night
DFI

[Willie JJ]

Night DFI

[Sherried Malt]

Hi everybody.

Finally got home. I have the 12, NAS CS and a 1974 whose authenticity may be suspect. (Bought it on eBay many moons ago...)

See everybody soon.

[Willie JJ]

Hey SM. Good to see the US folks getting home and ready to dram.

[Ganga]

I'm here! Interview went well. How well, we'll find out in the next two weeks.