Wine Article

The 1824 Series was created to provide no-age-stated mid-to-high-end single malts in bottles and liters for the duty-free retailer. A relatively new concept in fine whiskies, the no-age-statement single malts are being forced on the industry because the emphasis on age in the last couple decades has depleted stocks of older spirits. These wines are blends that contain considerable amounts of the older spirits but some younger spirits too. The Whisky Maker's Edition is designed to be a more generalized, less Macallan-specific single malt, as an introduction to the style, using a more varied oak regimen. But, as you'll see below, this one has not lost its Macallan identity. Select Oak,Whisky Maker's Edition, Estate Reserve, and Limited Release, in the order of price, ranging from about $70 through $2000, some in liters and some in bottles.

T-Cork bottled at 42.8 pabv, the historic '75 proof percent' English bottling strength.

How does this differ from the 'standard' Macallan taste? The use of American oak sherry butts (in part) and the younger spirit give a slightly more forceful, perhaps more rustic spirit with a little less integration and elegance than one usually expects. But it's a sherry-driven Macallan, all right. I sense it may smooth a bit with a little exposure to the air admitted after opening, if it sits for a couple of weeks or so in the cabinet. jht