Macallan Fine Oak 10 Year Single Malt Scotch Review

The Macallan distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery. It’s located in Craigellachie, Moray, Scotland.  Founded in 1824, it is one of the top three highest producers of single-malt scotches, making it a well-known and recognizable brand. (The other two highest producers are Glenfiddich and Glenlivet.)

Each region of Scotland has its own style of making whisky. The process, along with the regional resources (water, peat, grains, etc.) also means that each region has a unique style and flavor. Macallan is in the heart of the Speyside region of Scotland, which is famous for its fertile glens and the beautiful River Spey. The distillery is located directly north of Edinburgh, between Inverness and Aberdeen. Speyside whiskies differentiate themselves by having more prominent fruit flavors. This temper the peat, salt, and shoe varnish flavors that are famous in other regions of Scotland.

So where do the fruit-forward flavors that Macallan and the Speyside distilleries are known for come from? In large part, it’s the distilleries’ use of sherry casks, sourced from Spain. The sherry casks allow the whiskey to open up, becoming complex and smokey as they age. Aficionados of scotch have come to expect and enjoy these flavors. This is going to be an important point when we finally get around to talking about the Macallan 10 Year (and I promise, we will). That’s because the Macallan 10 Year is a departure from this regional standard.

Alas, these sherry casks are fairly expensive, especially when compared to other types of casks available on the market. They are a niche, and distilleries pay top dollar for them. At the same time, as Macallan whiskey has grown in popularity, the price point has steadily climbed. You can easily drop several hundred dollars on a 20-year Macallan. Rather than lose potential new patrons, Macallan looked for a way to keep a choice at a more accessible price point. Of course, they didn’t want to compromise on quality.

Their solution? Fine oak casks, used previously for making bourbon. In 2004, the Macallan distillery began adding bourbon oak casks to their process. They still use the sherry casks for much, if not most, of what they make. However, now they have brought in bourbon casks to produce spirits at a lower price point.

The Macallan Distillery

 

So, was Macallan able to find the right balance? Read more to find out!

Macallan Fine Oak 10-Year Tasting Notes

COLOR

This bottle of whiskey has a very light, pale-yellow color. The distillery highlights the paleness with a white label and a white box. The color is gorgeous in this whiskey glass set.

NOSE

At first, we thought we were missing something. It was a thin, light, flowery smell. It wasn’t heavy with peat and smokiness that we’ve come to expect from other Scotch distilleries. It smelled simple, fruity, and a little floral, like white apple blossoms in Spring. Ah, that must be the inspiration for the white label on the bottle!  There’s a touch of oak that comes through from the fine oak cask. If you linger in the glass, you’ll start to get hints of fig and plum. But that’s only if you close your eyes and really dig deep because, again, this spirit has a surprisingly light aroma for a whiskey.

PALATE

This whisky tastes as thin as it smells. Everything is just a hint…there’s nothing that smashes into you with an assertive presence. Instead, this whisky tiptoes around your palate with hints of sugar, bitter oak, lemon, nuts, vanilla, caramel, orange peel, and honey. The Macallan 10 Year is smooth and light, like good smooth jazz. Fusion, perhaps. In fact, pairing this bottle with Pat Metheny would work beautifully.

For some that are used to a powerful, brazen scotch, the Macallan 10 Year might not live up to your expectations. But for those that tend to water down their scotches, this might be a delicious choice for your shelves.  The bitter oak might be off-putting for some; whiskeys are sometimes known for a caramel sweetness. That’s not what you’ll get with this whisky.

FINISH

The finish is short and tingly. There’s a hint of bitter oak that fades away, spices, and a little hint of cedar. For some, the finish might be a little more bitter than they are used to. This has a tannic final note like a dry red wine sometimes does.

A splash of water opens up the fruit notes a little bit more. Decanting helps let some of the undertones come through in the aroma and palate.

PRICE

$50-70 USD

CONCLUSIONS: Macallan Fine Oak 10 Year Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

Macallan doesn’t make a bad whisky, no matter what. So the Macallan 10 Year is a safe bet. That being said, whether you are going to love the Macallan 10 Year depends on what you expect from your whisky. If you enjoy a deep, hearty, heavily peated-and-spiced whiskey, then you may want to steer away from this whiskey. But there is a big market out there that is going to enjoy this. It’s especially ideal for the beginner whiskey drinker or someone who is budget conscience. For the money and price point, this is an excellent choice to enjoy what good scotch has to offer.

Deep Dives

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