Scottish whisky wizards, The Macallan, has harnessed the power of Father Time to give its treasured liquor a unique spin. The recently unveiled Double Cask 30 Years Old proclaims an exceptionally aged single malt filled with rich and complex flavours, earning a distinct flavour profile by utilising oak wood and sherry wine. The Double Cask line was first launched in 2016, and the new 30-year-old drop will now play big brother in an already beloved scotch collection of 12-year-old, 15-year-old and 18-year-old bottlings.
The Macallan Double-Cask 30-Year-Old Key Specs
The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old Whisky offers a rich and sophisticated tasting experience characterized by its unique maturation process. Here are the key specifications for this exceptional whisky:
- Age: 30 Years Old
- ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 43%
- Volume: 70cl (700ml)
- Cask Type: The whisky is matured in a combination of American and European oak casks seasoned with sherry. This dual-cask maturation process contributes to the whisky’s complex flavour profile and natural colour.
- Colour: Described as golden acorn, the colour is 100% natural and not influenced by any artificial colourings.
- Packaging: The whisky comes in a luxury, solid oak box, reflecting its premium status and the craftsmanship behind the product.
- Retail Price: The suggested retail price is USD 4,000 (approximately AUD 5,500), indicating its position as a high-end, collectible whisky.
- Availability: This release is available globally, catering to whisky enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
The Macallan Double-Cask 30-Year-Old Tasting Notes
- Nose: A symphony of aromas including sweet toffee, fresh honeycomb, rich vanilla, fig, and red apples.
- Palate: A rich palate of cinnamon, ginger, Madagascan vanilla, dried fruits, and oak, providing a complex and layered taste experience.
- Finish: The finish is long and satisfying, with notes of soft spice, toffee, and sweet oak.
The Macallan Double Cask Range
The Macallan sources its casks from each side of The Atlantic Ocean, using European oak from Spain and France and American oak from Ohio, Missouri, and Kentucky. “It is the oak that gives the whisky its natural colour and is the single greatest contributor to the quality, distinctive aromas and flavours,” Kirsteen Campbell, the Macallan’s master whisky maker, said in a statement.
The Macallan Double Cask range is a testament to The Macallan’s mastery in whisky making, demonstrating the distillery’s commitment to creating complex and balanced single malt whiskies through innovative cask management. This range is particularly notable for its unique approach to maturation, which marries the distinct characteristics of American and European oak casks, both seasoned with sherry.
The Macallan sources its casks from each side of The Atlantic Ocean, using European oak from Spain and France and American oak from Ohio, Missouri, and Kentucky. “It is the oak that gives the whisky its natural colour and is the single greatest contributor to the quality, distinctive aromas and flavours,” Kirsteen Campbell, the Macallan’s master whisky maker, said in a statement.
The Double Cask range was first launched in 2016, starting with younger expressions and gradually introducing older, more mature versions. The range includes several age statements catering to various tastes and preferences. It began with accessible expressions such as the 12-year-old and gradually introduced older variants like the 15-year-old, 18-year-old, and prestigious 30-year-old. Each expression within the range offers a unique tasting profile, balancing the spicy and sweet characteristics derived from its dual cask maturation process.
With its latest conception, the distillers have let the whisky mature for 30 years to find the ideal balance of flavours. According to the brand, the sherry-seasoned American oak offers a subtle sweetness, while the European oak delivers on the refined and classic style of The Macallan. Consumers can anticipate aromas of sweet toffee, fresh honeycombed, rich vanilla, fig and red apples. A symphony of cinnamon, ginger, Madagascan vanilla, dried fruits and oak on the palate leads to a lasting finish of soft spice, toffee and sweet oak.
As you’d expect, The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old comes packaged in a luxury, solid oak box and is now available globally for a suggested retail price of USD$4,000.00 (AUD$5,500.00).
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Alternatives to The Macallan Double-Cask 30-Year-Old Whisky
- Glenfiddich 30-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Glenfiddich, one of the most celebrated distilleries in Scotland, offers a 30-year-old single malt renowned for its exquisite complexity and refinement. Aged in a mix of Bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks, this whisky presents a luxurious balance of ripe fruitiness and oak spice, making it a worthy contender for those who appreciate The Macallan’s craftsmanship.
- Balvenie 30-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky: The Balvenie 30 is crafted using a combination of traditional oak and sherry casks, contributing to its deep, multi-layered flavour profile. It’s a testament to the distillery’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality, with notes of tropical fruits, honey, and a hint of smoke. The Balvenie 30 offers a rich and satisfying experience akin to what one might seek in The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old.
- Highland Park 30-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky: Highland Park’s 30-year-old expression stands out for its balance of rich, complex flavours and the distinctive influence of Orkney’s unique terroir. It’s known for a perfect balance of sweet and smoky notes, with a character shaped by extended aging in sherry-seasoned oak casks. The maritime climate of the Orkney Islands adds an extra layer of intrigue to the whisky.
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