The Macallan Edition No. 3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Whiskey: The Macallan Edition No. 3 Single Malt Scotch

Speyside, Scotland- Following Edition #1 and #2, Edition #3 is drawn from a combination of European and American oak casks. It balances a heavier base derived from the Tevasa cooperage sherry casks with the citrus notes of the Hudosa cooperage sherry casks.

Size: 750mL

Proof: 96.6 (48.3% ABV)

Origin: Scotland

Distillery: Macallan Distillery

The third release in The Macallan’s wood-focused Edition series saw master perfumer Roja Dove and master whisky maker Bob Dalgarno create a whisky using their very particular sets of skills. Dove pinned down the flavour profile for Edition No. 3 by using the same formula he would for a perfume: pinpointing complementary aromas, and balancing these with a “counterpoint” note. The resulting liquid is a combination of six American and European oak casks, with deliciously sweet, floral notes up front.

The Macallan Edition No. 3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky Tasting Notes

Nose: Reminiscent of a fine fragrance, the nose leads with vanilla ice cream, fresh cut oak and delicate florals. Orange oil provides subtle grandeur while ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg flit in and out in various guises. Vanilla imparts sweetness, leading citrus fruits forward then allowing chocolate to show. Burnished oak delivers a soft ending.

Palate: Sweet fruit, vanilla and rich fruit cake with suggestions of apricot, pear and crisp green apple. Hints of ginger and cinnamon are balanced with a light resinous oak finale.

Finish: Long, sweet and fruity, leaving a lasting impression on the senses.

Distillery Information

IThe Macallan distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Craigellachie, Moray. The Macallan Distillers Ltd , is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Edrington Group which purchased the brand from Highland Distillers in 1999.

In 2009, The Herald reported that Macallan was “the world’s third largest-selling single malt (behind Glenfiddich and Glenlivet) with over 500,000 cases a year, and second largest by value”.The Scotsman published a quote from Ken Grier on 16 August 2009, stating: “We have now overcome Glenfiddich to move into the second biggest selling single malt by volume behind Glenlivet”. In 2011, Edrington Group reported that prior-year sales of The Macallan were up 8% to over 700,000 cases and the BBC also reported that an office was being opened in New York to deny growth in the American market

Originally, The Macallan was matured only in oak sherry casks brought to the distillery from Jerez, Spain. Beginning in 2004, The Macallan introduced a new main product, the Fine Oak series, with the whisky mellowed in bourbon oak casks as well as sherry ones.