Thirty-nine years ago, The Macallan barreled 243 bottles worth of whisky in its Speyside warehouses. Today, five of those bottles became available in the States.
The 1978 vintage belongs to the Scotch whisky label’s Fine and Rare line and it’s part of a long train of rare Scotches The Macallan started dropping in 2002. According to Rare Whisky 101’s collector’s index, this practice has made The Macallan the most collectible whisky name in the world (the brand announced a 52-year-old scotch just last week).
According to Steve Brenner, The Macallan’s lead whisky maker, the 1978 bottle is unabashedly peaty. “Matured in a second fill remade American oak Hogshead cask, this vintage alludes to a period in time when some peated expressions of The Macallan were laid down,” Brenner said in a press release. “The peated smoke element of this cask stands out, as it is unusual in The Macallan to find peated smoke alongside some of the characteristics synonymous with American oak — apricot, vanilla and toffee.”
As expected with a five-bottle release, it’s not an impulse buy — a bottle will cost you $11,700, according to the brand. And you’ll have to inquire by email (inquiries.us@themacallan.com) to purchase.
Price: $11,700
Release Date: Winter 2018
Proof: 118
Tasting Notes: Oak spice, bitter orange, peat smoke
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