The Edition series is currently my favorite part of The Macallan’s illustrious portfolio. Since all bottlings in this range have a raised ABV of 48 per cent or higher, they allow drammers to experience a sturdier side of the record-breaking Speyside giant, whose regular products rarely breach through the 43 per cent barrier. Furthermore, the Edition whiskies are sold for a halfway affordable price upon release. Thus, they mark a good chance to grab a limited edition from The Macallan without burning too much of a hole into the wallet. And last but not least, they are usually of pretty good quality. The latest entry into the range, The Macallan Edition No 5, continues this tradition. Designed as a tribute to the rich, natural color of The Macallan’s spirit, it turned out to be quite an eye-catcher – both in the glass and on the shelf. The latter is due to the fact that Edition No 5 comes in a flamboyant packaging created in collaboration with The Pantone Color Institute. At first, I found the strident box a little irritating, but with time I grew to like it more and more. The spirit, on the other hand, did not undergo such a development. From the first dram onward, I enjoyed Edition No 5 a lot. Similar to the flashy look’s effect on the eye, the invigorating spirit feels exciting, fresh and a wee bit unorthodox in the mouth. If the chance arises, be sure you give this purple bird o’ paradise a try!

by Tobi

Eye: Cherry wood with a golden shimmer.
Nose: Scent-wise, the colorful No 5 from the Edition series is immensely sweet with a powdery spiciness underneath. In the nostrils, puffy cotton candy and salted popcorn go first. They are followed by sugar-coated apples, delicate maraschino cherries, lemon-flavored gummy bears and fine ginger graters. Another scent I get is that of a strawberry cupcake with a sugary topping. Occasionally, the alcohol pick-a-boos, too. It gives the whisky’s bouquet a spirited buoyancy.
Palate: The chewy nougat sweetness, which is one of The Macallan’s most recognizable characteristics to me, is pretty strong in this expression. It is accompanied by a curd freshness and a ginger sharpness. The latter is much more noticeable on the palate than it was in the nose. Fair amounts of lemon zest, white pepper and nutmeg further amplify on the whisky’s spiciness. If you crave for a fiery “whisky kick” to invigorate every last one of your fibres, this sparky Mac is the right pick for you!
Finish: A thick, mid-long finish with a lot of cinnamon, cocoa, blackcurrant jam and oak. There are also “older” notes in there; they remind me of sipping a cup of rosehip tea in a vintage dining room with last-century furniture, age-struck wallpapers and heavy velvet curtains.

Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Region: Speyside
Age: NAS
Alc. volume: 48.5 per cent
Bottle size: 0.7 litres
Price range: ~110.00 Euro
More info: https://www.themacallan.com/ (Distillery)