The Macallan Announces New Sherry Oak 40 Years Old

The Macallan, the world’s ultimate luxury single malt Scotch whisky, unveils its latest exceptional whisky in the coveted Sherry Oak range, The Macallan 40 Years Old. This collectible, limited-release whisky represents only the second non-vintage release of a 40 year old expression to come from the iconic Speyside distillery.

The creation of The Macallan 40 Years Old owes its existence to the skill and foresight of The Macallan Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno. In early 2006, Dalgarno and his team began crafting the annual release of The Macallan 30 Years Old Sherry Oak, for which nine marrying casks were filled and ultimately bottled. However, during the marrying process, the instinct and intuition of the Master Whisky Maker led to a tenth cask being filled and laid back down.

This whisky was kept at its natural strength, and when it reached 35 years of age in 2011 it was assessed again, where a decision was made to let the whisky to continue to mature and evolve. Finally in 2016, at 40 years of age, the time had come to allow this distinct whisky to be removed from the cask and enjoyed.

“This whisky owes its very existence to the insight and intuition of Bob Dalgarno,” said Geoff Kirk, Director of Prestige for The Macallan. “The additional decade of careful maturation through to 2016 has produced an outstanding and distinct single malt to add to the collection of rich, mature expressions from The Macallan. We relished the careful attention that has gone into creating The Macallan 40 Years Old.”

With just 500 bottles being made available worldwide at a suggested retail price of $8,000, the Macallan 40 Years Old is expected to be a highly sought after expression.

Tasting Notes:

• Colour: Autumn Russet
• Nose: Smoky, lightly peated. Sweet ginger cake with gentle notes of treacle. Ripe pineapple and citrus fruit sorbet add richness. Chocolate, cinnamon and spice show later balancing the rich aged oak.
• Palate: Soft, gradual spices such as ginger and cinnamon open up giving great sweetness, adding to notes of dried fruits, sultana and raisin. Almonds shout but never dominate as aged oak tempers allowing wood smoke to meander later.
• Finish: Soft, fruity with wood smoke. Warming.
• Strength: 45% ABV
• SRP: $8,000

Source: The Macallan

  40 Years Old, Alcohol, Beverage, Product Launch, Scotch Whisky, Sherry Oak, The Macallan, USA