Distillery: Macallan
Proof: 96.6
Age: NAS
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
BACKGROUND: Macallan needs no introduction but they are a Single Malt Scotch whisky distillery. They produce some of the finest single malt scotch in the world. Macallan has a limited edition serious that is released once a year. Unlike most Macallan's whisky, their limited edition series whisky's do not carry an age statement. Currently, Macallan are on edition 6. Editions 1 and 2 were incredible but what about edition 3? This whiskey is an experimentation between master distiller Bob Dalagarano and master perfumer Roja Dove which shows that the emphasis on this is the nose. Edition 3 was finished with 6 different casks: 1st Fill American Oak Hudosa Butts, 2nd Fill American / European Oak Refill Butts, 1st Fill European Oak Tevasa Butts / Punchenons, 1st Fill American Oak Bourbon Hogheads, 1st Fill European Oak Tevasa Hogheads, 1st Fill American Bourbon Barrels. This whiskey has a slant towards American oak barrels as you can tell so it should have some bourbon/American whiskey notes.
NOSE: Sweet and delicious scents of creamy vanilla, caramel, orange, lemon, rose water, and the slightly but ever so present malt and barley notes are present. For 96.6 proof, this whisky has some rich and deep scents. There are also some sherry wine and smooth toasted oak scents that put this nose over the top. There is no burn whatsoever but the combination of the sweet, dark, and rich scents make this to die for. (23/25)
PALATE: Spice, oak, and honey notes jump out at first on this one but then there are creamy notes of butter and vanilla bean. The whisky has a thick and chewy mouthfeel with strong fruit notes of pear, plum, and honey. There is also some caramel/butterscotch playing in the backfield. Overall, this is an incredibly unique whisky with delicious flavors. (37/40)
FINISH: The finish is dominated by dark chocolate, oak, pine, and some mint. It goes on for a very long time and left me craving another sip. It was amazing how different the finish was from the palate but it really rounds this whisky out in perfection. (23/25)
VALUE: Macallan Edition 3 has a $150 SRP which is an absolute steal, however, it often goes for more than $300 on secondary (7/10)
Overall: 90/100
FINAL THOUGHTS: Macallan Edition 3 is an absolutely delicious and unique scotch whisky. We love Macallan's whiskies but their special editions are always incredible and edition 3 is no different. We strongly recommend this whisky to anyone and everyone IF you can find it.
Similar & Slightly Better Whiskey: Macallan 18 Year
Similar & Equal Whiskey: Redbreast Small Batch Cask Strength
Similar & Slightly Worse Whiskey: Glenlivet Enigma
Tell us what you think and give us some feedback!
Scoring Legend:
96-100: The perfect dram, juice of the gods
90-95: Near perfect, truly incredible whiskey
85-89: Amazing whiskey, will always try to keep a backup bottle of this
80-84: Very good, some minor flaws here or there
75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink, Will try and keep a bottle on the shelf
70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get this
60-69: Decent, would offer this up to non whiskey drinkers
50-59: Not my cup of tea
Below 50: Give away