Macallan's 1824 range has done away with age-statements and instead focuses on the colour of the whisky. The concept being that the older the whisky is the darker it will be... Regardless of how true this really is, it's certainly a great whisky packed with assertive vanilla and citrus flavours.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
This burnished gold spirit presents a lemon citrus nose, the orange peel and an interlacing sweetness that softens but doesn't eliminate the zest. A quiet note of vanilla is followed by dark chocolate - more assertive, yet not overly so - with a lingering floral and light oak notes.
Citrus and boiled sweets rule the palate, along with hints of ginger and cinnamon, while soft oak tones reveal toasted apples.
The finish is medium sweet, malty and slightly dry.
I first has a bottle of the 10 year old, prior to this being available. But this really isn't that different, maybe a little less complex, but it has the same overall feel and taste. It still ranks as one of my preferred choices and if you like very smooth malts rather than those with peaty kicks I still recommend it. While at a whisky tasting festival a while back I asked why they'd dropped the age reference and they skirted around giving an answer. I was told the gold was primarily made up of an 8yr, and then mixed with others much older. they made the case for this giving a better result than a straight up 10yr but of course they would say that. It is obviously due to cost if you can sell a drink 2 years earlier you can get more money out of it. For everyone claiming stating their whisky drinking credentials and claiming its an aweful drink, it really means nothing, drinking this stuff is entirely subjective. I happen to really like it, i don't expect everyone else to have the same opinion. It should perhaps be a little cheaper as there are others out there as good for less.
It was love at first sip, smooth warm without the afterburn.
Some times reviews just don't make sense This is a cracking drink try it I'm 67 done alot of whiskeys in my time they don't come much smoother tastes like good stuff to me
I've been drinking whisky for 20 years so I know my fair share, and this whisky straight out sucks. Nothing amazing. Better available for the price range. Much prefer the Macallan 12 which can be had for only slightly more in cost also. Makes me wonder what this Macallan is aiming to serve. Seems to be targeting the noobs. In essence I wouldn't recommend Macallans too often, excluding the 12 and 18. Beyond this it really is an overrated brand I've concluded over my years. It's like the Apple of Whisky. The price has more to do with clever marketing and pricing strategies (I have an MBA), and people ridiculously are still prepared to pay for it because they're suckers.
A betrayal of every positive characteristic of Macallan that I remember. Uncouth fire water.
