The Macallan / 1948 Select Reserve

The Macallan

1948 Select Reserve

ABV 43%
REVIEWED Issue 6

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Specifications

Brand: The Macallan
Expression: 1948 Select Reserve
Type: Scotland Whisky / Single Malt
Age: No Age Statement
ABV: 43%
Country/Region: Scotland
Bottling type: Standard (Distillery or blended)

Tasting notes

Taster Michael Jackson

Nose: Sherry not obvious - Fino? Leafy, peaty, woody.
Palate: An altogether more elegant, wistful, style than today's Macallans. Some sweetness and floweriness, but the outstanding feature is an astonishingly fresh peat-smoke flavour.
Finish: Gentle but lingering and warming, leaving smoky memories.
Comment: Paler in colour and lighter in body, but what a palate...great Speyside whiskies once tasted like this.

9.0

Taster Jim Murray

Nose: A subtle hint of sandalwood, polished oak and sweet pipe smoke is no match for the extraordinary, ripe plum fruitiness and crystal-clear sweet malt. Quite exhilarating.
Palate: Deep and spiced with aged oak from the off. Massively dry through the middle but there are some richer, digestive biscuity malt notes which ensure stability.
Finish: Bitter-sweet, slightly salty, waxily honied and smoky. The oaky notes are the ones which last longest.
Comment: This is just a shade over-aged unlike the 1946. Even so, the intense, complex middle does offer certain riches. The nose is exceptional.

7.0

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The Macallan Distillery, Easter Elchies, Charlestown of Aberlour, Moray, Speyside, Scotland

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