Taster

Nose: Big and ‘chewy’. Some nose burn. Cumin powder, orange peel, angelica, malt dust, scented: violet. Complex.

Palate: Soft start, it comes to life in the centre where Seville orange oils mingle with malt, fig roll and sweet spoces. Supple with good length.

Finish: Cakey and long. darkens slightly.

Comment: Takes the best aspects of the other two Macallans and magnifies them.

Score: 8.2

Taster

Nose: Fruity. Cider apples. A definite sourness. Apple blossom. Honey. Takes me back to my uncle’s cider cellar !

Palate: Dry, a bit rough with an abrasive mouthfeel. Apples again soaked in a spicy syrup. Cinnamon and ginger.

Finish: Dry, slightly oaky. Numbing.

Comment: A unidimensional and stiff character. Water tames it a little. But it leaves a numbing feeling in the mouth.

Score: 7.5