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It’s impressive what 25 years in Oloroso sherry seasoned oak casks can do to a fine single malt. All those oak spices, vanilla, sweet smoke, and dried fruit aromas make The Macallan 25 a mature malt worthy of the finest collection. This is a quarter of a century of accumulated flavor. On the downside, the apricot and pineapple aromas of a young malt are long gone. Nevertheless, this is a superb expression.
Warm and thrilling, that’s how one can describe such beauty; this is oak spiciness at its fullest expression. The vanilla bean aromas are incredibly intense, supported by smoky cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. The fluttering scents of a dried orange add complexity to this lovely malt.
Take a sip and enjoy the flavors unfolding on the palate for minutes; that’s how intense The Macallan is. Dried fruit flavors hit the mid-palate reminiscent of fig and dried cherry, and the butterscotch and caramel flavors complement the profile nicely. All over a distinctly sweet, smoky note that lingers long into the finish.
Precisely the lengthy finish you’d expect from a well-aged malt. All the Sherry cask spices slowly dissipating, letting memories of cigar smoke take center stage. What a finish!
Not everyone loves mature whisky expressions. The overpowering smoke and spice might take an inexperienced whisky aficionado by surprise, but there’s no doubt this malt matured to perfection — slow and steady merging with the Oloroso Sherry cask flavors. This is Spanish oak speaking on behalf of the highland malt, so if you’re into spicy drams, you found your perfect match,
Dried fruits and toffee in The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old are a very fine example for the category crowned by the 25 YO. Both malts rely on brown flavors and a mature but intense palate. If you’re an oak fan, there’s no doubt you’ll enjoy both expressions.
