[WHISKY REVIEW] The Macallan Amber 🥃

In Easter Elchies, on a hill overlooking the small town of Craigellachie in the heart of Speyside you can find one of the most legendary whisky distilleries. The farmer Alexander Reid obtained the license to distill in 1824 under the name of Elchies Distillery. Then it was just a small-scale operation on the side of the main business of farming. The distillery changed its name to Macallan in 1892 when it was sold to Roderick Kemp, previous owner of Talisker. Under Kemp's ownership the distillery was modernized and expanded dramatically.

The distillery is located on the Macallan farm, located strategically next to an old ford on the River Spey, hence the name. From 1965-1975, the number of copper stills expanded from 6 to 15. Nowadays, the distillery is owned by the Edrington Group and has the second largest capacity in Scotland with 10 million liters a year and is the third largest-selling single malt in the world.

The Macallan Amber

Macallan is a distillery famous for using predominantly Oloroso sherry casks in the maturation process. Macallan Amber has been matured on Spanish first-fill sherry casks and American refill casks and is part of the distillery's 1824 series, consisting of Gold, Amber, Sienna and Ruby (the names refer to the natural color from the lightest to the darkest). Although it's a NAS (No Age Statement) whisky, we know that the base in Amber is 8 year old whisky but has components up to 18 years old.

                     

ABV: 40%
Age: NAS
Region: Speyside
Price: Around 50 USD / 0.7L
Natural color

Nose: What hits me first is acetone and young spirits, but given some air plenty of vanilla and some tartness. It's also quite bready with a rich barley malt aroma and oat flakes.

Palate: Surprisingly fiery arrival for 40% ABV. Peppery oak notes are balanced by restrained sherry sweetness and mild honey. There are the obvious dried fruits and raisins from the sherry casks, but it's not overpowering. The classic citrus (orange marmalade) and ginger notes of Macallan are also there. Towards the end more oak together with milk chocolate, cinnamon and faint coffee notes. Very smooth, velvety and slightly oily mouth-feel.

Finish: Drying and medium-long with a hint of Juicy Fruit sweetness. A tad watery on the very end.

Conclusion: A well-rounded and very pleasant standard whisky that would improve in depth with higher ABV. 84/100 points.

If you have any whisky related questions don't be afraid of asking! I'll do my best to answer them. Cheers, or as they say in Scotland: Sláinte!

 @SteemSwede

 

You can find my other whisky reviews here:

Glenmorangie 10
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Linkwood 21 yo, Signatory
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Glenfarclas, Christmas Edition, 1995
Old Pulteney 21
Glenfiddich 12
Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique, 2016
Caol Ila 12 yo
Linkwood 26 yo
Glenfarclas 105
Glenmorangie Nectar D'Or
Glenlivet 18 yo
Talisker 18 yo
anCnoc Rascan
Glenfarclas 17 yo
Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1
Octomore 5.1 & 6.2