The Macallan has unveiled a new and very rare limited-edition single malt whisky – The Macallan 50 Years Old – 2018 release.
The Macallan 50 Years Old was created at a time when the distillery had the future in mind, the company explains. By increasing the number of small stills that help concentrate the ‘new make’ spirit, the foundations were established back then to produce full-bodied, rich and fruity flavors that are characteristic of The Macallan today.
The spirit was laid down in a single European oak Sherry butt from Spain.
The result is “a rich and complex whisky presenting sweet oak vanilla and blackcurrant characters with a beautiful, vibrant amber natural color,” the company says. Wood vanillas open on the nose with a hint of spice before ripe blackcurrants and an earthy tone combine, with a background of subtle peat. The palate leads with flavors of sweet oak vanilla, fudge and toffee, soon making way for black peppercorns to provide a gentle warming, with deep sweetness joining from orange peels and figs.
The finish is a viscous mouth coating, which is long and slightly dry from the subtle peat notes, the company reports.
Bottled at an ABV of 44% The Macallan 50 Years Old is presented in a solid oak box featuring an etched face inlaid with a matte gold badged age statement. The bottle label is reminiscent of the 50 and 25 Years Old bottling’s of yesteryear. This 2018 release will be available starting in April 2018 and is limited to 200 bottles worldwide, with only 35 bottles allocated to the USA, at a suggested retail price of approximately $35,000 each.
