First launched in 1984, the official Macallan 18 year old is an absolute classic of the whisky world. Distilled at the famous distillery in Speyside and fully matured in sherry oak casks from Jerez in Spain.
Distilled in 1972, this was was bottled in 1990. These early releases are packaged in the instantly recognisable purple-sashed white boxes, featuring the Sara Midda watercolours of Easter Elchies house, synonymous with Macallan of the period.
Macallan 1972 18 Years - Giovinetti Tasting Notes
Nose: starts quite beautifully but certainly less obviously sherried than other versions such as many 18yo’s that were distilled earlier. There’s also a faint soapiness but other than that it’s all on old walnuts, wax polish, cooked apricots and old wood. Also a little leather and cigarette tobacco as well as orange marmalade. Something antique, I’d say.
Mouth: very fruity and fresher than expected, with, again, no too much sherry influence. Apricot juice, tinned pineapples, mint drops, smoked tea and roasted nuts plus a little milk chocolate. The body is slightly thin but the whole is rather satisfying.
Finish: medium-long, on caramelised fruits and medium-bodied sweet white wine (Monbazillac and such). Very good Macallan despite the lack of ‘ampleur’, but there were many better batches of the classic 18years old I think. 85 points.
Distillery | Macallan |
Classification | Single Malt Whisky |
Bottle No./Released | -/- |
Vintage | 1972 |
Age | 18 |
Bottler | Official Bottling |
Bottling Date | 1990 |
ABV/ Volume | 43.0%/ 70cl |
Rating/SGP | -/- |
Cask Number | - |
Type: Speyside - Edrington