The old red-label Macallan Cask Strength, a no-age-statement single malt drawn entirely from sherry casks and bottled straight from the wood without reduction. It was made for the American market in 750mL and has since been discontinued, which is why sherry-cask drinkers still talk about it.
About This Whisky
Unlike the 10 Year Old Cask Strength sold in Europe, this bottling carried no age statement. It was matured in sherry casks and filled into bottles at whatever strength the batch came out at, so the figure on the label moves from release to release, with batches recorded at roughly 57% to 60% ABV. It belongs to the era before the range was split into Fine Oak and, later, Double Cask and Sherry Oak lines, when the standard lineup still included a full-strength sherried Macallan.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Concentrated sherry: raisin, plum and date with dark chocolate, leather, orange peel and honey.
- Palate: Big and warming, with dried fruit, cocoa, oak spice and pepper. With water it turns creamier and fruitier, and blueberry and tobacco appear.
- Finish: Long, with leather, honey and chocolate lingering over the oak.
Serving & Food
Pour a measure into a tulip glass at room temperature and taste once neat, then add cool still water a few drops at a time. At this strength water helps a lot. Try it with Christmas pudding, blue Stilton on oatcakes or a dark chocolate and walnut brownie.
How to Enjoy
Anyone missing the old full-strength sherry style of Macallan, and fans who like to adjust a dram with water.
Product Details
Distillery: The Macallan
Region: Speyside, Scotland
Style: Single malt Scotch whisky
Age: No age statement
Cask: Sherry casks
ABV: Cask strength, varies by batch (about 57% to 60%)
Market: United States, red label
Volume: 750mL
Origin: Scotland
About the Distillery
The Macallan dates from 1824, when Alexander Reid, a barley farmer who also taught school, took out a licence soon after legal distilling became practical in Scotland. His farm distillery stood at Easter Elchies above the River Spey near Craigellachie, and the whisky has been made on that estate ever since. For most of the twentieth century Macallan filled its spirit into sherry casks from Jerez, and a style built on dried fruit, spice and weight grew from that policy.