The Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak: A Rich and Elegant Whisky Reviewed

The 18 Year Macallan Sherry Oak is a Scotch whisky produced by the Macallan distillery, located in the Speyside region of Scotland. It is known for using only the finest sherry casks to age its whiskies, which impart a deep colour and a unique flavour. It is a highly sought-after whisky by connoisseurs and collectors alike, and it has won numerous awards for its quality and taste.

The distillery was founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, a barley farmer and schoolteacher, who was granted one of the first licenses to legally produce whisky in Scotland.

The Macallan distillery is situated on a 390-acre estate complete with barley fields, water sources, and oak forests, and sources its water from the nearby springs of the River Spey, which is known for its purity and softness—ideal for whisky production.

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Key Features

• Classification: Speyside Single Malt Whisky
• Location: Speyside, Scotland
• Cost: $800 - $1,100
• Age: 18 Years
• Mash Bill: 100% malted barley
• Cask: Oloroso sherry
• ABV: 43%

The Process of Creation

The Macallan Sherry 18 is made using the same traditional methods as all the whiskies produced at the Macallan distillery, which follows this process:

1. Malting: The barley is soaked in water to start the germination process and convert starch into sugar.
2. Mashing: Drying and grinding the barley into fine flour called grist, which is then mixed with hot water.
3. Fermentation: The liquid that comes from the mash (known as wort) is mixed with yeast in large wooden containers to start the fermentation process, where sugar is converted to alcohol.
4. Distillation: The fermented liquid is heated in copper stills that collect the vapour, which is mostly alcohol (spirit) at around 70% ABV.
5. Maturation: The distilled liquid is aged in oak casks that impart certain flavours and characteristics into the spirit.

The key difference for this Macallan whisky lies in the maturation phase, where the selected wooden casks have previously been used to age Oloroso sherry (fortified wine), and the whisky is aged for a minimum of 18 years. This gives the whisky an iconic toffee sweetness that resembles dried fruits like figs. Macallan strictly only uses these casks a certain number of times to ensure that the complexity of the flavour profile is maintained in every batch.

The Eye, Nose, and Palate

The Appearance

The Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak has a deep amber colour with rich, mahogany highlights that coats the glass when swirled.

The Nose

This whisky is known for its complexity, a rich and creamy flavour with notes of dried fruits—particularly figs, raisins, and apricots—along with hints of nuts, chocolate, and cinnamon. There is also a slight smokiness that adds depth and complexity.

The Palate

Rich flavours of the same dried fruits that sing through the nose along with dark chocolate and hints of vanilla, toffee, and oak. The sherry influence is particularly noticeable, adding notes of raisins, figs, and dates complete with a pleasant spiciness that imparts a subtle bite to the palate.

The Finish

The finish is long and satisfying, with a warming sensation that allows the dried fruits and spices to linger on the tongue. There is a subtle bitterness present to balance out the sweetness and add depth to the overall flavour profile.

The Types and Pricing

Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak

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Final Verdict: Is Macallan 18 Worth the Money?

Macallan has done a great job maintaining its standard of creating a whisky that is smooth and palatable to the mass market, though their prices have become a little too steep for the average drinker. If you can afford the price label, then it makes a great gift for your friends or for yourself.

Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak FAQs

How much is a bottle of 18 Year Macallan Sherry oak?

Macallan Sherry 18 is a rare commodity in the market, the rate has gone mad and now pricing around S$1,000+

Is Macallan hard to find?

For the 18 Years Sherry, yes, as soon as it releases in the eCommerce or Retail Shop, it will be gone in the blink of an eye. If you can manage to find one, just get it!

Would I like Macallan?

Macallan is one of the friendliest whiskies you can find for novice and connoisseur drinkers as it gives a good amount of complexity as well as smoothness for the novice to enjoy.