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| Hello, that is one among our (nearly) every day tastings. Santé! |
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Might 18, 2025
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This isn’t the primary time we’ve performed this with Macallan, and it’s in all probability not the final both. The concept right here isn’t to find out which interval is the very best — that may be too apparent, even a bit far-fetched — however somewhat to attempt to hint a sort of lineage within the fashion of the well-known Speysider. You’ll be aware that the thought got here to me as I used to be strolling previous the unmissable Macallan store at Shanghai airport final week, with its hanging candy-pink neon lights…
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Macallan ‘Inexperienced Meadow’ (40.2%, OB, The Concord Assortment, journey retail, +/-2023) 
Somewhat NAS in collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney. These collaborations typically make about as a lot sense as a tomato with wheels, as Lord Blackadder may need stated, however let’s be sincere, we’ve a smooth spot for the entire McCartney clan and there may be, certainly a ‘story’. Oh, and when you thought all of the meadows have been essentially inexperienced, suppose once more—there was additionally an ‘Amber Meadow’ we somewhat appreciated again within the day (WF 85). Color: pale gold. Nostril: that is discreet, somewhat elegant, on nougat, praline and natural tea, say chamomile, then recent hay and a contact of sherry, with walnuts and raisins. It’s actually elegant, and the very low power isn’t bothersome (regardless that that further 0.2% does make us chuckle). Mouth: that is the place it turns a bit skinny, grassy—however we are able to’t actually fault it, because it’s referred to as Inexperienced Meadow—and calmly dusty. Unsweetened natural tea, no honey, a bit tobacco, marzipan, orange zest, pink grapefruit peel, however all this merely whispers. End: a bit brief, with a couple of raisins and nonetheless these natural teas. Feedback: it’s not dangerous in any respect, there’s a sure class, however every little thing is available in little dabs, which is a tad irritating, particularly north of €200.
SGP:441 – 83 factors. |
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Macallan ‘Vibrant Oak’ (44.2%, OB, The Concord Assortment, two hundredth Anniversary, 2024) 
One other somewhat unlikely collaboration, this time with Cirque du Soleil, although I’ve heard very beneficial opinions about this child raised in sherry. Color: gold. Nostril: that is beautiful, with polish, beeswax, black tea with vanilla and wafts of liquorice and violet, then a pack of menthol cigarettes. Really a stunning nostril, somewhat advanced, very nicely put collectively. I concern it casts fairly a protracted shadow over poor little Inexperienced Meadow. Mouth: good presence, much less exact than the nostril however nonetheless nicely constructed, somewhat on inexperienced peppercorns, grape pips, darkish chocolate and really oaky tisanes, fairly marked by cinnamon. A number of bits of walnut, then it turns extra natural, a contact bitter however in a great way. Uncooked cocoa powder. End: medium size, nonetheless somewhat dry. Liquorice wooden, black tea, cinnamon, fir honey, lemon marmalade and inexperienced pepper within the aftertaste. Feedback: I believe this can be a very profitable composition this time.
SGP:451 – 87 factors. |
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So, let’s now take a leap again greater than 50 years…
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Macallan-Glenlivet 15 yo 1961 (43%, Gordon & MacPhail, Pure Highland Malt, Co. Import, Italy) 
We did, in fact, somewhat adore the 1960 and 1962 variations by Campbell, Hope & King for Rinaldi, however this wee 1961 from G&M doesn’t instantly ring a bell. For now… Thoughts you, these bottles could be closely solid, however this one’s fully genuine—we’ve our methods of telling, you see. Color: pale gold. Nostril: finest stay seated! We’re instantly greeted by that grandeur—these delicate smokes, citrus jams, each sort of honey one may dream of, this nostril of bee pollen, then the fractal improvement, on camphor, furnishings polish, a touch of tar and pure rubber, overripe apples, sultanas, dried figs, and outdated Sauternes… Will need to have been pure golden promise. Mouth: menthol, praline, sultanas and honey, then all of the variations and developments of these 4 main flavour teams. We’ll cease there, when you don’t thoughts, regardless that the 43% vol. pose no situation right here, because it’s the ‘congeners’, not the ethanol, that brings the ability. End: nearly lengthy, on tobacco, mint, maple syrup and honey, then it dries out with elegant restraint within the aftertaste, with returning hints of polish, that well-known chamomile, and even verbena and white pepper. Feedback: all the time a pleasure to style these Macallan vintages that helped make the title what it’s grow to be.
SGP:551 – 93 factors. |
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In conclusion, the Vibrant Oak actually held its personal subsequent to the 1961 and was removed from wanting misplaced. We’ll be doing extra Time-Warp Periods with Macallan very quickly, that’s a promise.
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