Scotch

Scotch Whisky Review: Macallan 10 Year Old 1970s Bottling

The Macallan 10 Year Old Sherry Oak was first launched in the 1970s, a time when The Macallan was beginning to establish itself as a single malt.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Tasting Notes

About:

A vintage Macallan 10 Year Old bottling, dating from the 1970s, matured in sherry wood. Bottled by renowned independent bottler Gordon & MacPhail under licence with The Macallan Distillery.
Appearance:
Pale Gold
Nose:
Initially there’s toffee sweetness, alongside acacia honey and chocolate. Followed by aromas of dried fruits and old sherry wood, balanced against some nutmeg, smooth leather, and a whisp of smoke.
Palate:
Creamy, with a slightly oily and syrupy sweet texture. There’s plenty of toffee and chocolate to begin. This gives way to a very traditional style sherry cask influenced malt, with dried raisin fruit and a hint of brown sugar.
Finish:
Long, warming with a lingering toffee sweetness. There’s a little oak and vanilla, but the dried fruit and sherry flavours dominate the final moments.
Comments:
A deep and refined sherry influence, well balanced with fruity sweetness. These old Macallan bottlings have a great reputation and this is a very drinkable whisky, thankfully lacking the artificial sweetness I get from modern Macallan expressions.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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