Sublime, Superior Singlemalt
Written: Jun 21 '00 (Updated Jun 28 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Silky smoothness, complex flavors
Cons: None, if you aren't concerned about price
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| counsel's Full Review: Macallan Single Malt Scotch 25 Year |
There are many things one may do for a friend, and many things one may forego without your friend thinking the less of you. However, when friends go above and beyond the call, you cannot help but take notice and find a special way to express your gratitude.
Not long ago, a friend of mine sent me a gift of this fine single malt whisky, the Macallan 25 Year Old Anniversary Malt, totally without warning. Accompanying the rustic wooden box that held this prize was a fine premium cigar. I was astonished, and did not believe that any thing I'd done for him in times past was worth such a splendid response. I still don't, but the least I can do is extol the virtues of this fine whisky here at Epinions as a way of displaying my appreciation of this wonderful gift.
Imagine my surprise when I opened the outer package to see the wooden case containing this, the cream (you should excuse the expression) of singlemalt Scotch whiskys, rated as the highest and best singlemalt in Michael Jackson's famous Malt Whisky Companion with 95 percentage points.
I have been to various restaurants and bars where people have considered ordering a glass of this whisky. I thought it somewhat amusing at the time that their voices were a bit quieter, their tones more respectful, when they mentioned the 25-year-old Macallan Anniversary Malt as one of the possibilities. More than one bartender or knowledgeable waiter has since informed me, however, that this particular whisky enjoys almost a cult following, and that demand for this singlemalt continuously outstrips the supply.
Not being one to take the first sip of such a singlemalt lightly, I waited for an appropriate leisurely moment before pouring my first dram. I poured it neat, naturally, and ensured my palate was clear before trying out this velvety concoction of the Scottish Highlands.
The color of this whisky gives the merest spiritual hint of its extra aging - I saw deep, burnished wood tones with hints of fiery copper red flashing as the light turned through the glass. The reddish-brown color roiled through the liquid, indicating the richness of what was to come. Moving the whisky through the glass produced a satisfying, viscous wave back and forth.
Nosing this singlemalt is a sensation in and of itself. The whisky is aged for at least 25 years in oaken sherry wine casks from Spain. No blending or marrying (even with other singlemalt whisky) takes place. The extra years, the slow repeated expansion and contraction of the sherry-laden wood through the seasons in the highlands produced a sherry-scented sweetness, set against a contrasting foundation of citrus fruits, spice and a slight hint of wood smoke.
On the palate: A first touch of sharp spice, followed by a very massive but silky mouth feel that created the rich, full overall taste of this whisky. The smoothness reflected the additional years of sherry oak aging. Along the middle of the palate I detected some dried fruits, citrus-tasting primarily with hints of orange, and a lingering oak smoke taste intermixed with the overall silky complexity.
And the finish: this whisky is long in the mouth; its smooth fullness remains on the palate for a satisfying length of time. The finish consists of final notes of orange and smoke, with the ever-so-faint hint of peat and sherry.
You may not get the chance to taste this whisky from the gods: the price of a bottle ranges from $170.00 to $240.00, depending on the locale. This used to be the only offering from The Macallan of 25 years or more - they have since added a 30-year singlemalt. Also, as mentioned before, this singlemalt may not be available at all during some times of the year - the demand has overwhelmed the distillery on more than one occasion. But you may hope; you may dream of that one shining moment - and who knows, you may have a friend as good as mine who sent this gift to me in a gesture that defines a new level of friendship.
I urge you to read the other reviews, few though they may be, of this outstanding singlemalt by clicking on the links at the bottom of this page.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
counsel
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Dwight
Location: Houston
Reviews written: 117
Trusted by: 499 members
About Me:
If I smell flowers, I start looking around for a coffin.
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