What are the best Macallan 18 year old vintages?

[dgilbert]

I really enjoy the Macallan and have noticed a big difference in the 18 year old vintages.
So far the best one i have had is the 1979
the 1981, 1983, and 1985 have in my opinion been better then the 1987
and 1988 that i have had.

any info\insight is appreciated as i am a newbie!
Love this forum
thanks all
Darin

[vitara7]

i was in spain one year a couple of years back, and found a wee shop with both the 1979 and 80 vintages for sale at 50ish euro each, i got one of each and found the 79 a wee bit better than the 80. upon polishing them off i went back to get more, but alas they only one more of each and as i needed them for the collection, ive not since had either so im going on memory as i dont take notes or that.

[dgilbert]

i was in spain one year a couple of years back, and found a wee shop with both the 1979 and 80 vintages for sale at 50ish euro each, i got one of each and found the 79 a wee bit better than the 80. upon polishing them off i went back to get more, but alas they only one more of each and as i needed them for the collection, ive not since had either so im going on memory as i dont take notes or that.

Interesting I have not had the 80 or seen any on ebay. A guy from Brazil has a bunch of the 79 yet but with shipping its like $210. I will have to get some more from him as i have just opened my last bottle of it.
Is that the oldest that you have so far Vitara7?

[vitara7]

i think it is dgilbert, im a bit of a tight arse so it it wasnt for the fact that they worked out at about £30 a bottle, i wouldnt have bought them.

i did see the guy from brazil selling them, he seams to have loads o them...

[dgilbert]

i think it is dgilbert, im a bit of a tight arse so it it wasnt for the fact that they worked out at about £30 a bottle, i wouldnt have bought them.

i did see the guy from brazil selling them, he seams to have loads o them...

Wow, the only thing i can find that cheap is well that cheap!

[Admiral]

The 1976 was a beauty. The '84 and '85 weren't bad either, but 1981-1983 were poorer examples. Haven't tried the 1980.

Cheers,
ADmiral

[vitara7]

in fact if i rememer rightly, ive had a few of the 70's, all be it in mini form.
did clear a load of them out and did drink a load of them.

[mikeymad]

The best of the Mac 18's that Ganga have ever finished was the 1973, out of the:

1973
1978 <-currently open
1979
1980
1981
1983
1985
1987

Cheers,

[Spirit of Islay]

The Best 18yo Macallan i think i've ever had was at the Ferry Boat Inn in Ullapool during the summer of 1984 , it was one of my first Macs as i only started trying whisky on that trip , it was the look on my mates face that made it . He knew a bit about whisky and he came back from the bar muttering "they've got two bottles !!!" the reason being he asked for two drams , the guy behind the bar said to him "Hmmmm there's only one dram in this one...." , so he started thinking i'll have that one ! Then the Barman added "i'll just get another......"
It could have been a 1965 or a 1966 then again were they 17yo's at that time?

[vitara7]

bet that was a few years ago SOI

[Spirit of Islay]

yeah 23 years ago if you paid attention .....

[Ganga]

Mikey, you forgot that we had the '88 at Equus and a sample of the '67.

[dgilbert]

The best of the Mac 18's that Ganga have ever finished was the 1973, out of the:

1973
1978 <-currently open
1979
1980
1981
1983
1985
1987

Cheers,

Cool thanks for the info do you still have all of those years Mikeymad?
Does anyone know where to find non production years other then ebay?

[dgilbert]

The 1976 was a beauty. The '84 and '85 weren't bad either, but 1981-1983 were poorer examples. Haven't tried the 1980.

Cheers,
ADmiral

I thought the 83 was good but not as good as the 85 Have you had the current vintage of 88 Admiral?

[mikeymad]

Cool thanks for the info do you still have all of those years Mikeymad?
Does anyone know where to find non production years other then ebay?

Sadly, no I do not have these. My current stock is:

Macallan 18yo 1971 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box from Italy )
Macallan 18yo 1980 ( 43%, Original Bottling, one in box one out )
Macallan 18yo 1984 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in tube )
Macallan 18yo 1985 ( 43%, Original Bottling, )
Macallan 18yo 1986 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in tube, old bottling ) x5
Macallan 18yo 1987 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box, new bottling )

And ganga is correct, we had the '88 and '67. I didn't have the recent list with me at work.

Ebay has been a good source, and then for more recent vintages, all the way back to 1980 was smaller stores with slow turnover. Just keep poking around.

Cheers,

[dgilbert]

Cool thanks for the info do you still have all of those years Mikeymad?
Does anyone know where to find non production years other then ebay?

Sadly, no I do not have these. My current stock is:

Macallan 18yo 1971 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box from Italy )
Macallan 18yo 1980 ( 43%, Original Bottling, one in box one out )
Macallan 18yo 1984 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in tube )
Macallan 18yo 1985 ( 43%, Original Bottling, )
Macallan 18yo 1986 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in tube, old bottling ) x5
Macallan 18yo 1987 ( 43%, Original Bottling, in box, new bottling )

I would love to try that 71! You will have to let me know how that one is, i would also be curious about the 1986 it seems to get really good reviews.
And ganga is correct, we had the '88 and '67. I didn't have the recent list with me at work.

Ebay has been a good source, and then for more recent vintages, all the way back to 1980 was smaller stores with slow turnover. Just keep poking around.

Cheers,

[mikeymad]

I would love to try that 71! You will have to let me know how that one is

I would love to try it too....

Depending on were you are maybe we could trade a sample someday. Not sure when this is going to be opened up.

Cheers,

[dgilbert]

I would love to try that 71! You will have to let me know how that one is

I would love to try it too....

Depending on were you are maybe we could trade a sample someday. Not sure when this is going to be opened up.

Cheers,

Sounds good to me although i am in wisconsin so we are pretty far away of course you never know!

[Les Paul]

I only have the 18 YO from 1987. But I'm only 25 and have not been collecting too long.

[Ardbeg311]

I was able to get a hold of a couple of Macallan 18yo 1986 "old presentation" for the very reasonable price of $90.00 each several years ago. The price in NH had just jumped to c. $118.00, but the bi-monthly magazine had not indicated the price increase. However, after a little discussion, the manager said he would let me have them for the old price. I drank one and kept the other on reserve. I found the 1986 to be solid, better IMO than the subsequent 18yo sherrys I have had.

I am sure this will fall on deaf ears but Please, Please Macallan, lower your prices on the 18yo and 25yo! You make wonderful whisky that many are forgoing because of your high prices!

[Deactivated Member]

Although my own collection is not for drinking, I have heard from many that the 1979 is excellent!

As for my own collection, I have:
1965
1967
1971
then every year from 1973 to 1986 in the old presentations and 1986 & 1987 in the new.
MT

[mikeymad]

Although my own collection is not for drinking,

No problem, we can drink it for you....

[Knolly]

My friend has a 1980 and I have a 1986. In my opinion his bottle is the better of the two. I think it's even better than his 25 yr old Mac. as well.

I recently tried a 1987 and I think a 1988 as well, and remember seaming to think that they tasted too sherried compared to the 1986 and especially the 1980.

Cheers,

[Rory B Bellows]

So far the best one i have had is the 1979
the 1981, 1983, and 1985 have in my opinion been better then the 1987
and 1988 that i have had.

I think you are very fortunate for being able to sample so many Macallan 18s.

[dgilbert]

So far the best one i have had is the 1979
the 1981, 1983, and 1985 have in my opinion been better then the 1987
and 1988 that i have had.

I think you are very fortunate for being able to sample so many Macallan 18s.

Thank You Rory i have enjoyed every drop and i am always looking for more! i just opened my last bottle of 1981 and i have to say its better then i remember! Maybe the second best coming in behind the 1979.
I have not tired the fine oak series yet but i think i will soon.
Cheers