The first Scotch I ever enjoyed was The Macallan Sherry Oak 18. True story.
The funny thing is, I had no idea what I was drinking. I wasn’t yet into Scotch and had known very little of the brand up to that point. It wasn’t until days later, I learned what I had the opportunity to enjoy — perhaps the world’s finest Scotch.
The legend of The Macallan dates back to the 1700s when the Easter Elchies House was constructed at The Macallan Estate in Craigellachie, Scotland. The Macallan’s small spirit stills help make the whisky rich and full-bodied — and quite notorious.
Macallan takes only a small portion of the spirit when filling the final Spanish-imported, sherry-seasoned oak casks, meaning that when you’re sipping on one of The Macallan’s Scotch varieties, you’re literally tasting the best of the best.
The line of spirits from The Macallan to choose from is plentiful. With the goal of helping other first-time Scotch drinkers avoid missing the opportunity to savor their first sips of The Macallan — like me — here’s a look at three of the brand’s notable varieties:
Sherry Oak 12 Years Old: At 40 percent ABV, the 12 is smooth and rich with fruit notes and a toffee, wood smoke and spice finish. You can drink it straight or with ice and it even works well in an Old Fashioned or Blood in the Sand. It retails anywhere from $45-$60 and is perhaps a great spirit to enjoy while introducing yourself to the wonderful world of Scotch.
Sherry Oak 18 Years Old: With ginger notes and finish, the 18 is one that Scotch-drinkers love getting their hands on. It’s the benchmark for the brand and even other Scotches. Enjoy The Macallan 18 either straight, on ice or with a splash of water to release the flavors. It retails for around $200 for a 750ML bottle and is worth every last ounce.
The 1824 Collection: Exclusive to Travel Retail, the 1824 range includes five varieties, including a Select Oak, Whisky Maker’s Edition, Estate Reserve, Oscuro and a Limited Release MMXII. The price range of the collection ranges from $60 (Select Oak) all the way to the $1,900, which is what it’ll take to get your hands on the Limited Release.
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