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Speyside distillery the Macallan does one thing and does it very well—aging scotch whisky in American and European sherry-seasoned casks and blending it into various expressions (with the occasional bourbon cask in the mix as well). The core portfolio is bottled at either 80 proof (40 percent ABV) or 86 proof (43 percent ABV), but if you’ve ever wanted to try a stronger version of the core 12-year-old, you’re in luck. U.K. retailer the Whisky Shop just announced that it was selling a 110-proof bottling of this whisky, and the good news is that it delivers to 40 states here in the U.S . . . but you have to be a member of their loyalty program.
80 proof is the minimum strength requirement to be called whisky both here and in the U.K., but fans of all whisky categories often gravitate toward expressions that are bottled a bit higher than that—and sometimes a whole lot higher when it comes to hazmat whisky (over 140 proof). The new Macallan 12 Year Old 110 Proof is far from hazmat, but much stronger than what you might be used to when it comes to this youngest member of the portfolio. According to the Whisky Shop, which has 24 retail locations across the U.K. and boutiques in Paris and Cannes, the whisky was aged mostly in European sherry-seasoned oak casks, with a small amount of American sherry-seasoned oak in the mix as well.
“It is not only a classic example of the depth and elegance that the Macallan is famed for, but also showcases the Macallan’s bolder edge, with its higher ABV offering a richer and more intense experience,” reads a statement. “The high strength intensifies the flavor, enriches the texture, and deepens the complexity delivered by the influence of European oak casks our 12 year-old sherry oak is known for, offering a new dimension to a classic favorite.”
We were not provided with a sample of this new whisky to try, but the official tasting notes describe a range of flavors including notes of toffee apple, Christmas cake (always a great U.K. tasting note), dark honey, clove, roasted hazelnut, and a touch of cocoa on the palate, followed by treacle (another classic Brit reference), sherried sweetness, and gentle oak spice on the finish.
If you want try the Macallan 12 Year Old 110 Proof for yourself, it is available starting today (SRP £125.00, or about $165), but you have to be a member of the Whisky Shop’s free loyalty program called W Club Rewards to purchase a bottle. You can also find other (lower-proof) expressions available at websites like ReserveBar now.
Authors
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Jonah Flicker