The Macallan 40 Year Old released in 2005 for travel retail, matured for at least four decades in sherry oak casks from Jerez. Only 450 bottles were made, bottled at 43% ABV.
About This Whisky
This 40 Year Old came well before the age became a regular annual release. It was bottled in 2005 for airport and travel retail stores only, limited to 450 bottles at 43%. The whisky was matured for a minimum of 40 years in hand-crafted sherry oak casks from Jerez, which gives the deep colour and dried fruit weight you expect at this age.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Dried fruit, polished oak and orange peel, with dark chocolate, spice and a note of old leather.
- Palate: Rich and rounded, with raisin, fig and toffee, Christmas cake spice and deep sherry oak.
- Finish: Long and refined, with lingering dried fruit, cocoa and oak spice.
Serving & Food
Serve at room temperature, neat, in a small nosing glass; very old whisky rarely wants water. Let the glass rest for a while and return to it. A few dates, some roasted walnuts or a sliver of aged Mimolette is all it needs.
How to Enjoy
Serious Macallan collectors and once-in-a-lifetime celebrations.
Product Details
Distillery: The Macallan
Series: Sherry Oak
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Age: 40 Years Old
Release: 2005, travel retail
Cask Type: Sherry oak casks from Jerez
Outturn: 450 bottles
ABV: 43%
Volume: 700mL
About the Distillery
The Macallan links red with rarity, and 40 year old whisky is where that began. In 1980 the distillery released its then oldest vintage, a 40 year old single malt. Allan Shiach, who ran The Macallan at the time, tied a red ribbon around those bottles to mark their age and value. It was a small gesture, but it gave the brand a visual code it still uses: the modern Red Collection of 40, 50 and 60 year olds takes its name and colour from that ribbon.