I have a special relationship with The Macallan’s annual Edition series. My first-ever sip, I took in April 2018. Back then, Edition No 2 marked the epic finale of the complimentary tasting that followed up on the distillery tour. It was one of the last tours through the old production halls. My first-ever bottle, I bought in September 2018: this beautiful copy of Edition No 4. My girlfriend and I purchased it when we returned to Speyside for an exclusive visit of the new distillery. We had it engraved with our names and the date of our stay. A lovely souvenir. And the content of the bottle is just as great! The Edition series pays homage to the bold and daring spirit of The Macallan. The fourth bottling “embodies the craftmanship and innovative design found in the new distillery” by offering “a modern flavour profile while staying true to The Macallan sherry-seasoned oak casks maturation”. Of the many notes that sherry wood can produce in a whisky, rich and versatile spices are most prominent here. They are accompanied by dried fruits, dark chocolate and sweet toffee. If a full-bodied Speyside malt with a piquant character sounds right up your alley, I keep my fingers crossed that you will still find a bottle of Edition No 4 for an affordable price.

by Tobi

Eye: Polished redwood. The slender legs run down the glass’s walls in medium pace.
Nose: Sumptuous and elegant with dried strawberries, black currants and hot moccachin0 as well as cardamom and cinnamon. There is also a sturdiness from cereal tablets and a chewiness from chocolate-coated toffee. A bit of mint cream adds a fresh quality to the otherwise dry-ish bouquet. Of the mentioned indredients, the spices weigh the heaviest.
Palate: Typically Macallan, the Edition No 4 feels solid, rich and oily on the tongue. It coats the entire oral cavity with sweet, creamy and savory flavors. I get dark chocolate tart, warm bramble sauce, a teeny-weeny bit of pepper and dried orange zest. The 48.4 per cent ABV is perfect for this high-class Speysider. It gives the whisky additional strength and intensity without interfering with its balance and roundedness.
Finish: Once swallowed, the spirit’s finish takes its time to develop. Bit by bit, more flavors chime in – like voices joining a canon. The liquid goes down the throat smoothly and leaves behind a potpourri of light and fresh notes alongside chocolate, fruit, cocoa and wood.

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Region: Speyside
Age: NAS
Alc. volume: 48.4 per cent
Bottle size: 0.7 litres
Price range: ~90.00 Euro
More info: https://www.themacallan.com/ (Distillery)