Macallan 17yo (43%, OB, ‘Fine Oak’, +/-2010

This is the newer version with the ‘two tone’ label’ white upper and mauve lower, the back label describes it as ‘triple cask matured in a unique, complex combination of exceptional oak casks; European oak casks seasoned with sherry, American oak casks seasoned with sherry and American oak casks seasoned with bourbon.”

The nose is fragrant and honeyed at first, delicately, followed fruit and malt. There’s also a significant amount of sherry and it’s very good. Spicy oak also makes and appearance along with hints of bees wax; it’s a really fine collection of aromas that are in harmony. The taste sweet (sherried) along with the malt and then the oak spice and smooth, gentle but not docile; it’s much like the nose but very good. This is brilliant whisky. The dryness and hints of Fry’s cocoa powder are really good. The finish is dry at first followed by more of the cocoa and hints of leather and cured but unlit tobacco. More spice, very active and very good. Sherry and spice. Very long, warming and pleasant. After a few minutes a dry sweetness develops and is in a steady holding pattern for quite a while. Never an off note…

What a very nice dram. Fine Oak indeed; worth a try once again, things have changed.

C$115

Score 88 points.

(Sample kindly provided by Macallan ambassador J. Wheelock)