M Black 2022 is the smoky member of The Macallan M Collection: peated Macallan aged for decades in sherry-seasoned oak and bottled in a black Lalique crystal decanter. It pairs classic Macallan dried fruit with a thread of peat smoke, which is unusual for the distillery.
About This Whisky
The whisky makers drew on a small stock of rare casks with blackened ends that held peated Macallan spirit. These sherry-seasoned oak casks have held the smoky spirit for decades, adding depth and a gentle peat note to the familiar sherried character. M Black had appeared before in the 1824 Masters Series; 2022 was its first year as an annual release alongside M and the new M Copper. It is bottled without an age statement at 46% ABV, with natural colour.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Fresh apple, pear and citrus with sweet dates, then a subtle, light peat.
- Palate: Candied orange, charred peach and honeyed fig with sultana and dark chocolate, warming into peat and spiced ginger.
- Finish: Long peat smoke and sweet raisin.
Serving & Food
Serve at cellar temperature in a tulip glass and let it breathe for a while, which lets the smoke settle behind the fruit. It goes well with smoked duck breast, char siu, or bitter chocolate with sea salt.
How to Enjoy
Macallan drinkers who want to taste the house's rare peated side, and a gift for a friend who likes a little smoke.
Product Details
Producer/Distillery: The Macallan, Speyside, Scotland
Collection / Release: M Collection, M Black 2022 Release
Style: Single malt Scotch whisky, lightly peated
Age: No age statement
Maturation / Style: Peated spirit matured for decades in sherry-seasoned oak casks
Colour: Natural
Presentation: Individually numbered black Lalique crystal decanter
Volume: 700mL
ABV: 46%
Origin: Scotland
Region: Speyside
About the Distillery
Macallan's partner for the M Collection is Lalique, the French crystal house working since 1888. The decanter was designed by the creative director Fabien Baron, and its sculpted six-sided form was a real challenge even for Lalique's craftsmen. Black crystal is harder again. It takes more time and material to produce than clear crystal, which is why Macallan saves it for this peated whisky. Each slim decanter is individually numbered.