Macallan 18s from the Seventies?

Related whiskies : The Macallan 18 Years Old , The Macallan 18 Years Old, Fine Oak , The Macallan 1979 18 Years Old, Gran Reserva

by **Sherried Malt** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 5:08 pm

Hello again.

I've been on a bit of a sabbatical, being swamped at work and what not... Anyway, I've decided to treat myself to a Mac 18 from the 70's and would like the advice of the people here... Which vintage should I try to find? Stated differently, what are your top 3 vintages from the Seventies?

Thanks and Happy Holidays to everyone!!

by **vitara7** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 7:47 pm

IMHO id got for the 1979 vintage 18yo macallan

by **kildalton** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:54 am

I had the 1979 and I found it very good, anyway I was advised to buy the 1973 one.

by **Deactivated Member** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:41 pm

Collecting-wise the 1972 is the hardest to find of all the 1970's vintages.

Personally, I think you would enjoy any of the 1970's bottlings, look around and find a good deal.
MT

by **vitara7** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:57 pm

MT's right, there all good whiskies.

MT - why the 72 the hardest to find? just less made that year?

by **Deactivated Member** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:03 am

Vitara,
I can only guess as to the reason, as I don't know for sure, but the '72 does seem to be very difficult to find. I have all the vintages from 1971 through to 1986 (when the presentation changed) exccept the 1972 in my personal collection. I only ever saw the 1972 for sale once, but it fetched a crazy price compared to the 1970 to 1974 vintages.

1973 Was another vintage which took me some time to locate at a reasonable price and it does seem that Macallan bottled more of some vintages than others.
MT

by **Onefortheditch** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:14 am

Excuse my ignorance, but how collectable are Macallan 18YOs? :?:

by **vitara7** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 1:13 am

the early ones are very collectable, just check the prices they go for, i wouldnt touck the latest ones, as i the last few years, overpriced in my opinon

by **Deactivated Member** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:56 am

Up to and including the 1986 issue, Macallan issued one 18 year old vintage each year.

I could provide the dates with a little research, which I will do if anyone particularly needs to know, but they weren't always 18 years old. There were three definite eras:

An annual 15 year old vintage followed by
an annual 17 year old vintage followed by
an annual 18 year old vintage.

Each one of these was "Sherry Cask" and specifically dated with the year of distillation.
These are often referred to as "Classic Label" and are all collectible. Obviously, the earlier the year, the higher the value and these values are still increasing.

In 2004 The Macallan changed their packaging (and image) which led to the last "Classic Label" 18 year old being issued as the 1986 18 year old.
In 2004 The Macallan also released a "New Design" (Blue carton, taller bottle) 1986 18 year old. Yes, two different issues in that year!
This new style release is now labelled as "Whiskies distilled in 1986 and earlier years" and I agree, although possible collectibles, they are not so desirable for investment as the earlier editions.

Make no mistake, the "Classic Label" 18 year olds are highly desirable, generally excellent for the drinkers as well as having great investment prospects.
MT

by **Sherried Malt** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:50 pm

MT, thaks for the great info!!

Thanks to all for their help. Sounds like I should go for the best deals and get the early ones if they're not terribly expensive...

Happy New Year!

by **Ganga** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:56 am

My personal preference is for the 1973. I found it to have a more spicy flavor than the vintages from the latter part of the 70s. There is the possibility that drinking the '73 whilst watching the raging hurricane out a plate glass door has affected my judgment. :lol:

by **Admiral** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 3:54 am

Whilst I can't say I've tried all the vintages, 1974 and 1976 seem to come up pretty frequently as the ones that were of the highest quality. And I can vouch for the 1976...an absolute beauty!!

Cheers,
AD

by **Sherried Malt** » Mon Jan 01, 2007 4:54 pm

Happy new year, Admiral.

Going off on a bit of a tangent here, but in recalling one of your earlier comments about Glenfarlcas, how would you compare the Glenfarclas 15 (either old or new) to the 1976 Mac?

Best to you and yours in '07!

by **Admiral** » Tue Jan 02, 2007 12:33 pm

Hi Sherried Malt...yes, compliments of the season to you and yours too!

As much as I'm a fan of Glenfarclas (and I am a big fan) there is no denying that the 1976 18yo Macallan was/is superior to Glenfarclas 15yo.

I have a private bottling of 25yo Glenfarclas that was distilled in 1980, bottled in 2005 (bottled for the Australian Malt Whisky Convention) that is an absolute gem, and I suspect it would go close to the 1976 Mac, but I think the Mac would still come out on top.

Cheers,
Admiral

Related whiskies : The Macallan 18 Years Old , The Macallan 18 Years Old, Fine Oak , The Macallan 1979 18 Years Old, Gran Reserva