Well, I just picked up this bottle of Macallan Cask Strength, so I thought I'd give it a try and post my thoughts for you fine folks. This is a 58.5% version, 750 mL, that I picked up at my local for $60.00. Incidentally, there is a thread of others' thoughts on this scotch here.
Two important facts to keep in mind with this whisky: (1) it is matured solely in sherry casks, giving it a strong sherry character; and (2) It is unchillfiltered, allowing many flavor-enhancing oils and compounds to remain in the whisky. These two facts result in the whisky having a strong sherry flavor that I very much enjoy. If you don't like sherried scotch you will not like this. But, if you don't like sherried scotch, why are you reading a review of any Macallan whisky? This is the quintessential sherried Speyside scotch!
The whisky pours a very nice reddish-gold in the glass. The initial aroma is of alcohol (naturally, considering its high proof), but once that dissipates it becomes a very strong sherry smell, with a sort of chemical, rubbery aroma fading in and out and a sweet floral/perfumey background. The taste is of very strong sherry and fruitiness, followed by a high alcohol kick (the same taste I get from overproof vodka - just plain alcohol). The finish is very hot, very long, and stays with the strong sherry and fruit flavors, fading into a tannic bitterness. Frankly, at full proof the flavors and aromas are too concentrated for me to even begin to pick them apart, so I recommend adding a little water for maximum enjoyment.
Adding enough water to bring the proof down to 90 or so really opens this whisky up and makes it much more enjoyable. In the aroma, the floweriness comes to the fore, with honey, malt, oak, citrus, and a hint of peat smoke all making appearances. The flavor retains its strong sherry influence, but a winey acidity (tannin) comes in as well, reminding me of the skin of a not-quite-ripe plum. I also get hints of raisins and wood once in a while. The finish is not as long as when undiluted, but still fairly long and much more enjoyable. It starts sweet, dominated by the sherry, with an overripe fruit flavor, eventually changing to dry, spicy, and woody, until it's gone and you take the next sip.
All in all, a very tasty whisky, with a huge nose and intriguing shifts between its sweet start and dry finish. In my opinion, well worth the step up from the young standard proof versions. I have not tasted the older versions, so I can't say how it would compare to those, but if you like very sherried whisky this is a wonderful dram.
Two important facts to keep in mind with this whisky: (1) it is matured solely in sherry casks, giving it a strong sherry character; and (2) It is unchillfiltered, allowing many flavor-enhancing oils and compounds to remain in the whisky. These two facts result in the whisky having a strong sherry flavor that I very much enjoy. If you don't like sherried scotch you will not like this. But, if you don't like sherried scotch, why are you reading a review of any Macallan whisky? This is the quintessential sherried Speyside scotch!
The whisky pours a very nice reddish-gold in the glass. The initial aroma is of alcohol (naturally, considering its high proof), but once that dissipates it becomes a very strong sherry smell, with a sort of chemical, rubbery aroma fading in and out and a sweet floral/perfumey background. The taste is of very strong sherry and fruitiness, followed by a high alcohol kick (the same taste I get from overproof vodka - just plain alcohol). The finish is very hot, very long, and stays with the strong sherry and fruit flavors, fading into a tannic bitterness. Frankly, at full proof the flavors and aromas are too concentrated for me to even begin to pick them apart, so I recommend adding a little water for maximum enjoyment.
Adding enough water to bring the proof down to 90 or so really opens this whisky up and makes it much more enjoyable. In the aroma, the floweriness comes to the fore, with honey, malt, oak, citrus, and a hint of peat smoke all making appearances. The flavor retains its strong sherry influence, but a winey acidity (tannin) comes in as well, reminding me of the skin of a not-quite-ripe plum. I also get hints of raisins and wood once in a while. The finish is not as long as when undiluted, but still fairly long and much more enjoyable. It starts sweet, dominated by the sherry, with an overripe fruit flavor, eventually changing to dry, spicy, and woody, until it's gone and you take the next sip.
All in all, a very tasty whisky, with a huge nose and intriguing shifts between its sweet start and dry finish. In my opinion, well worth the step up from the young standard proof versions. I have not tasted the older versions, so I can't say how it would compare to those, but if you like very sherried whisky this is a wonderful dram.
