The Macallan 1824 Collection Estate Reserve Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.

In 2009 Macallan released a special series that paid tribute to the venerable age of the distillery.
Created by Macallan’s Bob Dalgarno, together with John Ramsay of Glenrothes fame (both distilleries being part of the Edrington group) it was coined the “Macallan 1824 Collection “ and boasted four non chill filtered whiskies, each with its own character at a range of price points. However, to buy them you needed an airplane ticket. They were exclusively scheduled for the "Global Travel Retail” market (aka “TR”).

When it comes to Single Malt Scotch, Travel Retail outlets aren’t synonymous with the highest calibre bottlings. For anyone concerned with quality and flavour, not just cheap alcohol, they tend to arouse suspicion. More than a few “Travel Exclusives” have left an impression that the producer was simply dumping average malt on transient buyers who in turn, were primarily concerned with lower prices. One can’t over generalise here. On the flip side, we’ve tasted some outstanding Travel Retail releases too. A recent example was Bunnahabhain’s Cruach Mhona - a cask strength knockout in a one litre format - now sold out, but a whisky which we’d happily buy more of if we could.
But then, that’s the nature of the TR beast.

By all reports, these Macallans fall into the latter category.
William Ovens, who’s in charge of part of Edrington Group’s Travel retail section comments on the range as been “… positively embraced by whisky experts and connoisseurs. In fact the Collection is the highest scoring new product range ever released by The Macallan”.

John Hansell of maltadvocate.com, who is a notoriously hard marker, was impressed, going all the way to 95 points on the Estate Reserve.

Uncertain availability makes tasting these whiskies ourselves unviable. A brief survey of some of the UK’s best Whisky outlets suggests that they are now largely sold out. We've managed to sneak a small quantity into Australia at very, very reasonable prices. As an indication, we’ve seen the “Estate Reserve” retailing overseas for well over $700. This latest shipment suggests another opportunity for Macallan fans to collect up on - or dare we say, drink and enjoy. Only time will tell!

Reports have the Estate Reserve as being something very special indeed, very much in the style of Macallan of old, with a big input from sherry-seasoned hogsheads plus bottled at 45.7% without chill filtration.

Other reviews... Amber color. Richly textured (great mouth feel), with vanilla fudge, nougat, ripe citrus, and ginger cake leading to a complex, spicy finish. Great depth on this one. Well-polished. My pick of the lot. 95 points
- www.maltadvocate.com, (Summer 2009) Reviewed by: John Hansell