Macallan Decades Collection Set

DESCRIPTION

A set of Macallan Decades Collection 1920s, Macallan Decades Collection 1930s, Macallan Decades Collection 1940s & Macallan Decades Collection 1950s. 

The collectable range of four Macallan variants, recreated by the distilleries master Whisky Maker, reflects the style of The Macallan in the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s and the distinctive packaging features a classic mode of travel from each era. The range was rated by Michael Jackson, the renowned international whisky writer, in the Malt Whisky Companion as being ”Amongst the highest of any malts”.

Macallan Decades Collection 1920s
To recreate the taste of the Macallan as it was in the 1920’s, Macallan’s Master Distiller sampled bottles from that decade and their aroma and flavour was matched with more recent distillations. During the 1920’s, most of the Macallan produced was sold to whisky blenders as a “top dressing” single malt for blended whiskies. The few remaining casks continued to mature their contents for longer , resulting in a whisky that was slightly drier and less toffee sweet than modern day Macallan.

Macallan Decades Collection 1930s
To recreate the taste of the Macallan as it was in the 1930’s, sample bottles from that decade were opened and their aroma and flavour matched with more recent distillations. During the 1930’s, with coal in short supply as a result of increasing industrial activity, The Macallan reverted to drying barley using peat fires. This, combined with the scarcity of oak sherry casks due to the Spanish civil war, resulted in a whisky that was both peatier and less spicy than the modern day Macallan. In his recently released Whisky Bible, Jim Murray scored the Macallan Thirties bottling 91 points, describing it as "...an essay in complexity and balance." Other commentators seem to agree.

Macallan Decades Collection 1940s
During the 1940’s, with oak Sherry casks in short supply as a result of the Second World War, Macallan would refill their casks more often than is the current practice. This, combined with the use of peat to dry the barley, resulted in a whisky that was less spicy and peatier than modern day Macallan. To recreate the taste of the Macallan as it was in the 1940’s, Macallan’s Master Distiller sampled bottles from that decade and their aroma and flavour was matched with more recent distillations.

Macallan Decades Collection 1950s
To recreate the taste of the Macallan as it was in the 1950’s, sample bottles from that decade were opened and their aroma and flavour matched with more recent distillations. During the 1950’s, Spanish oak Sherry casks became available again following the disruption of World War II, allowing the Macallan to revert to using only first and second fill casks. In his recently released Whisky Bible, Jim Murray scored the Macallan Fifties bottling 92 points. Other commentators seem to agree: the Fifties bottling foreshadows the classic characteristics of the Macallan we know today making it the stand-out edition in the series.

TASTING NOTES

David Robertson, The Macallan Master Distiller

Macallan Decades Collection 1920s
Colour: Rich mahogany.
Nose: Rich and resinous, with dried fruits, sherry, hints of citrus and light wood.
Taste: Classic Macallan with sherried cloves and a rich oily viscosity.
Finish: Sherried aftertaste with ginger spice.

Macallan Decades Collection 1930s
Colour: Rich amber copper.
Nose: Light apples and citrus, malty with floral notes and hints of resinous spice, wrapped in a rich peaty envelope.
Taste: Peat smoke, apples, citrus orange and spice.
Finish: Peat smoke and fruit.

Macallan Decades Collection 1940s
Colour: Light amber.
Nose: Rich apples with strong peat smoke, complimented with floral and fragrant notes. Subtle dried fruit aromas and hints of resinous spice add a degree of complexity
Taste: Rich peat smoke with fresh apples, woody and slightly nutty.
Finish: Peaty and nutty with hints of wood.

Macallan Decades Collection 1950s
Colour: Deep mahogany.
Nose: Rich resinous dried fruits, spiced ginger and cloves with good wood. Subtle toffee sweetness and rich citrus aromas with a hint of peat smoke.
Taste: Rich aged Macallan with strong sherry, resinous spice, dried fruits, and a touch of nuttiness, toffee and wood.
Finish: Rich and spicy with a touch of smoke.

PRODUCT SUMMARY