The Macallan History

Founded in 1824, The Macallan has been through 7 owners and a stock market listing to get to where it is today.  Starting with Alexander Reid in 1824, Priest and Davidson in 1847, James Stuart in 1868, Roderick Kemp (former owner of the Talisker distillery) in 1892, Roderick Kemp Trust in 1909, The Kemp Trust becoming a private limited company in 1966, a listing on the London Stock Exchange in 1968, Suntory mopping up 25% of the business in 1986, Highland Distillers buying the remainder of the business in 1996, then finally Edrington and William Grant and Son’s buying out Highland Distillers in 1999.

History in Scotch Blends

Macallan was almost entirely a whisky for blending.  In fact, it wasn’t until the 1980’s that Macallan even bothered to market their product as a single malt, primarily because there wasn’t even a market to sell their whisky for blends.

The 16% Cut

Macallan is marketed (heavily) as having the smallest cut of any Scotch whisky.  In fact, it’s claimed that only 16% of the spirit that comes out of the still actually goes into casks, with the other 84% magically vanishing.

Cynics see this as marketing fluff.  The theory is that the 84% goes into the next charge on the still, and the real meaning of the 16% is that consumers only get 16% of VALUE from what they actually paid for.

This is further underpinned by the mass of NAS (non-age statement) whiskies cranked out by Macallan, and their range extended into many alternatives from cheaper casks, such as virgin oak and ex-bourbon, abandoning their legacy of age statement, 100% sherry cask matured whisky.

The Macallan’s New Distillery

In 2013 The Macallan announced a new distillery.  Taking inspiration from Teletubbies and Hobbits, their partially underground design was a first in many ways – most of them being memes and jokes.

The initial budget of £100 million became £140 million.  We can’t quite work out what the money was spent on.  Can you?

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Originally released for the Taiwanese market, this is Macallan Aera, a NAS single malt matured in predominantly in sherry-seasoned oak casks. After its maturation, it was bottled up at 40% ABV in this rather striking black bottle. Which reminds me of a really special night in Nairobi I had back in the 90’s, with something black and sleek that really tickled the back of my throat.

On the nose:

Rounded and well balanced with vanilla notes, candied dried fruits, orange peel and sweet citrus. Oh the memories of Kenya…

On the palate

Hint of chocolate and oh, was that night in Nairobi full of chocolate. Dried fruit richness, smooth as honey (yes, she was too) with a sweet citrus burst.

On The Finish

Medium to long, with lingering vanilla and a gentle warmth.

Macallan Aera in Summary

Ridiculously over priced if you buy this in the west. It’s not even that cheap in TW. Sure, if this whisky was a wench, I’d shag it. But at this price, the dinner date would be McDonald’s first. I can think of better things to spend this kind of money on. If you’re ever in Nairobi, I can recommend a few phone numbers.

Your Opinion

It’s a free world, and everyone is entitled to their opinions. Especially something as subjective as whisky. If you have any thoughts or opinions on this whisky, then please feel free to leave them below in the comments.

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The Macallan 25 is an aged Scotch whisky that is often associated with luxury and prestige However, despite its high price tag, some whisky enthusiasts have criticised this expression for being overrated and overpriced.

One of the main criticisms of the Macallan 25 is that it is overly sweet, with an overwhelming sherry influence that dominates the palate and masks any subtleties in the whisky. Some have also noted that the whisky lacks complexity and depth, with a one-dimensional flavour profile that doesn’t evolve over time.

Additionally some have noted that the Macallan 25 may not be worth its high price tag, as there are other whiskies on the market that offer better value for money. While the Macallan is a respected distillery with a long history of producing high-quality whiskies, some whisky enthusiasts feel that the Macallan 25 falls short of expectations.

Overall, while the Macallan 25 may be a sought-after whisky among collectors and enthusiasts, it may not be the best choice for those who are looking for a complex and nuanced whisky that offers a good value for money.

Tasting Note by The Producer

Nose: Citrus, balanced with cinnamon, sherry, and wood smoke.

Palate: Full and rich, with dried fruits and a hint of wood smoke.

Finish: Long, with dried fruit, wood smoke, and spice.

Tasting Note By Whisky Baby

Nose:  Yes, there’s something “tart” there, but referring to it as citrus balanced with cinnamon, sherry and wood smoke is stretching it.  It’s an over powering mashup of something that could have been sherry with a chewed pencil.

Palate.  It’s thick (as opposed to full and rich) and kinda tastes like a chomp on a mouldy plum that was left forgotten about at the back of your refrigerator, buried under some over aged green onions and coriander.

Finish.  Long.  With the same manky plumbs and a bit of cabbage.

Summary on Macallan 25

For the price this goes out for (I believe it’s circa 1500 quid a bottle) I’m absolutely mind blown.  I personally don’t get it.  The way that people chase this down, like yapping Jack Russel dogs desperate for attention, is beyond my comprehension of humans.

When you break down what actually goes into making this, a cheap wooden box doesn’t cover the robbery going on here.  For the same money, I could have a 2 week holiday to somewhere warm and sunny, and a case of some pretty decent, age statement sherry cask whisky, from at least 6 other distilleries.

If you’ve got more money than sense, and your winky is too small to wave around, then sure, you need this bottle.  99.9% of whisky lovers obviously don’t.

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