Macallan whiskey: history, overview of taste and types + how to distinguish a fake
Macallan is not just a great whiskey from the Speyside region of Scotland, but one of the most expensive and famous products produced in this area.
The company specializes in the production of an elite single malt beverage that is popular in many countries. Despite the fact that there are many large distilleries in the vicinity of Highland, it is the Macallan brand that is called the pride of Scotland.
The company is rightfully considered one of the world's best single malt whiskey producers: annual sales of products amount to about 6 million liters.
History of the Macallan whiskey brand
In 1824, the first Macallan whisky was released into the world at a tiny distillery founded by a simple farmer and teacher Alexander Reid on the banks of the Spey River. The company was one of the first in the region to obtain a license to distill the malt beverage.
During the XIX century, for various reasons, the company changed owners several times, but the dawn of the brand came during the reign of Roderick Kemp. An enterprising businessman modernized the equipment and brought the plant to a new level. The company's reputation skyrocketed, making it famous not only in Scotland but also abroad.
By the middle of the XX century, production volumes increased several times, and in 1979 Macallan whiskey first appeared on the advertising pages of The Times.
In the 90s, the company again had to change owners: in 1996 it became part of Highland Distillers PLS, and in 1999 the reins were passed to The Edrington Group.
Among the brand's achievements is an entry in the Guinness Book of Records, which appeared there after the sale of a vintage whiskey collection for an unheard-of sum of 250 thousand pounds.
On the way to fame, the Scottish manufacturer had to go through a difficult path and change more than one owner, keeping only the level of quality and good name unchanged.
Features of the production of whiskey Macallan
The basis is a special low-yielding barley variety "Golden Promise"
The whiskey is produced using grass grown in the fields of the company's Easter Elchies House estate and spring water from local underground springs.
The distillation system consists of small handmade distillation cubes
Ensuring maximum contact of the drink with copper.
As a result, the bouquet is fully revealed, acquires a rich, full-bodied character and bright fruity aroma, and the texture of the whiskey becomes dense and oily.
By the way, Macallan's distillation system is depicted on a 10-pound banknote issued by the Scottish Bank.
At the selection stage, spirits are subjected to strict rejection
Only the purest product with an average strength of 72% is separated to create whiskey.
Alcohol content in finished drinks varies from 40 to 55%.
Unique oak barrels
Oak barrels used for aging whiskey are made to order in strict accordance with the company's requirements.
European wood casks give the drinks hints of chocolate and dried fruit, while American wood casks give them hints of coconut, toffee and lemon.
The manufacturer also uses used bourbon and sherry barrels, which give the whiskey floral, vanilla and fruity accents that have been used.
The aging period depends on the product category and can reach several decades.
The rich color palette of Macallan is absolutely natural
This is the result of the interaction of high-quality malt spirits with the warm texture of oak wood.
Shades range from light gold to mahogany.
Overview of Macallan whiskey flavors and types
The number of names of the famous Macallan is several dozen. All of them are divided into several collections:
Sherry Oak
The line includes single malt whiskeys aged 12, 18, 25, 30 and 40 years.
The deep, intense taste of the drink is ensured by storage in special Spanish sherry barrels.
Main notes: dried fruits, spices, mature oak.
Double Cask
The interaction of the classic Scottish single malt with the sweetness of American wood has led to the birth of two stunningly balanced drinks: unencumbered by age, golden "Double Cask Gold" and aged amber "Double Cask 12 Years Old".
Before whiskey was stored in special barrels, they were used for maturing Spanish sherry.
The predominant tones in the bouquet: cinnamon, baked apples, honey, ginger, citrus fruits.
Triple Cask Matured
Three types of casks are used to create a unique collection: 2 types of sherry casks and 1 bourbon cask.
Whiskey is aged in these casks for 12, 15 or 18 years.
The Quest Collection
A special line, for which the most unusual barrels from different parts of the world were purchased.
As a result, 4 drinks with different flavors were released: mild citrus and vanilla "The Macallan quest", spicy sweet and spicy "The Macallan Lumina", complex fruit and caramel "The Macallan terra" and rich woody and spicy "The Macallan Enigma".
The Masters Decanter Series
An original collection of drinks bottled in designer decanters. The bouquet becomes more complex as you move from the first product in the line to the last.
The tones of the palette also change: from the light amber whiskey "The Macallan Reflexion" to the rich "The Macallan M Black", the color of which is hidden in a black bottle.
Fine & Rare
A rare mahogany whiskey presented in a single copy.
The aroma teases with soft notes of vanilla and raisins, which are replaced by a bright ensemble of apples, lemons and oranges.
Balanced, rich taste surprises with a perfect combination of spices: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves.
The spices are replaced by sweet tones of vanilla and chocolate with a warm woody-citrus aftertaste.
Limited Releases
A selection of the brand's best single malt whiskeys, each with its own unique history of creation.
Among the assortment of the collection, a bright amber whiskey with half a century of aging "The Macallan 50 Years Old" stands out.
The complex bouquet contains tones of vanilla, spices, fruits and a subtle peat hue.
Rare collector's items in exclusive bottles also deserve special attention.
Travel Retail Exclusives
A series dedicated to traveling. You can buy the drinks of the line at airports in different countries.
Past Releases
The collection includes drinks that were previously produced by the company.
How to distinguish a fake Macallan whiskey
Due to the brand's great popularity, the alcohol market is filled with fakes of Macallan whiskey. To protect yourself from buying counterfeit products, it is worth learning the signs of genuine products:
Quality whiskey of elite varieties is necessarily accompanied by the label "Deluxe" or "Premium".
Before buying, you should visit official website of the brand and carefully consider what the original bottle and label of a particular drink looks like.
The color palette of real Macallan whiskey varies from amber to various shades of brown.
The drink should be absolutely transparent: without cloudiness and sediment. Shake the bottle: real whiskey has large bubbles that do not burst for a long time.
The aroma of the original whiskey is not sharp, with notes of oak, citrus, vanilla, flowers, but not alcohol.
The consistency of an aged drink should be thick, viscous, and oily.
The packaging of real whiskey should have a presentable appearance: an evenly glued label without errors in the inscriptions, a high-quality bottle made of thick glass, etc. д.
It is better to buy elite alcohol in specialized outlets where you can get acquainted with the quality certificate. The price of such drinks cannot be low.
Update: 30.01.2019
Category: Whiskey and Bourbon