NC2 Macallan 1997 11yo 46%

Nose: Quite bold, dry and oaky. Cereals and cask warehouses - some metallic notes. Refreshing not to be overwhelmed by sherry

Palate: soft and light. Fruity pears and apples, some citrus notes too. Gentle oak spice with traces of smoke and dusty warehouses.

Interesting facts on the Macallan:

Established in 1824 as Elchies distillery, then renamed in 1894 as Macallan after the local church.

Macallan said by some to be the Rolls-Royce of whiskies.

Once renowned for their use of only Golden Promise barley (now accounts for less than 10% of production), which is malted at Tamdhu's maltings.

Dry oloroso sherry casks, and use of small stills, 15 in total, produce a classic speyside style. Sherry butts are shipped whole to reatin their character and water is drawn from four boreholes along a stretch of the Spey river.

Macallan was launched as a single malt in 1980 and has grown to be one of the world's best sellers.

Used in blends such as the Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and J&B blends.

Thirty years ago, the Macallan only had a marketing budget of £25, this was used to purchase a poster to sponsor a local shinty match.

Posted in: Tastings

Tags: single malt speyside tastings