Macallan Rare Cask 2018 Release / Batch No.1

The Macallan was one of the first distillers in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then, Macallan has built a reputation as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies. The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland - and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship.
The Macallan distillery was founded by Alexander Reid, a barley farmer and school teacher. The original name of the area was “Maghellan”, taken from the Gaelic word “magh”, meaning fertile ground and “Ellan”, from the Monk St.Fillan - who held a close association with the church that stood in the grounds of The Macallan Estate until 1400. Farmers had been making whisky on their Speyside farms in the area for centuries, using their surplus barley during the quieter winter months.

The Rare Cask was introduced in 2014 as a permanent addition to the 1824 Master Series, a premium tier of the regular 1824 core range which was marketed between 2012 and 2018. When the 1824 series was discontinued in 2018, the Rare Cask was retained as part of the portfolio, becoming an annual small batch release. Between 2018 and 2019 it became a thrice-annual small batch release, before switching to a single annual batch release in 2020.
The Macallan Rare Cask takes its name from the extremely rare Spanish sherry seasoned oak casks which are hand selected by the Master Distiller at the Macallan Distillery. This specially selected oak helps mature the single malt whisky into a complex dram, with changing layers of fruit, sweet chocolate and soft vanilla.
This is Batch No.1 from the 2018 Release.

    Nose:   Cognac-like, sherry, caraway, touch polish, a lot of hazelnuts, camphor, light honey, sweet malt, apricot, flowers, red, sweet apple, toffee.

    Taste:    Very supple and silky, lots of toffee, blossom honey, flower meadow, hay, some cumin and sulphur from the young sherry, pink lady apples, hints of grapefruit, sweet malt and hints of peach.

    Finish:    Sweetish, honey, hints of herbs, apple, honey, at most medium long.