Macallan 12 Year Old fine oak

A couple of years ago, Macallan put its Fine Oak series in new livery, the so-called Pillar Series, where the box refers to one of the 6 pillars on which Macallan prides itself: 1) the spiritual home, 2) the exceptionally small stills, 3) the finest cut, 4) the best oak casks in the world, 5) the natural color and 6) the excellent spirit. This 12 years old Fine Oak is therefore an old acquaintance, but I gladly try it again. It is composed of 80% bourbon and 20% sherry matured whisky.

The nose is fruity and creamy with a rather limited sherry influence. Nice touches of banana and citrus fruit, butterscotch and toffee. So, very sweet. Totally void of spices.

It is very succulent, almost fatty on the palate. Again very sweet, but at the same time mildly drying. The palate is a good continuation of the nose, but now there is a spiciness in the guise of pepper, nutmeg and a pinch of cinnamon, making it warm and drying.

The finish is again very sweet, making this whisky very suitable as an after dinner dram.

Pleasant, albeit honeysweet, Macallan. Very accessible and mouth coating. This batch was much more to my liking than the one I had years ago.

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