Scotch

The Macallan 18 Year Old Sherry Cask 2024 Review + Tasting Notes

The Macallan 18 Year Old might be one of the longest-running age-stated whiskies on the market, and there's a reason for its enduring demand.

OVERALL RATING

8
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Tasting Notes

About:

The 2024 release of The Macallan’s annual 18 year olds, matured exclusively in sherry oak casks.
Appearance:
Autumn Orange
Nose:
A huge hit of all good things in sherry! Soreen loaf, brown butter, raisins, ginger, vanilla, milk chocolate, a little hint of mint, and something reminiscent of olive oil. The oak notes and the brown butter on this 2024 batch are particularly alluring. The ginger mixed in with the milk chocolate notes are very festive and comfortable. It’s exactly what you want from an old glass of sherry driven single malt.
Palate:
Initially sweet with strawberry cream and chocolate, and then comes the raisins! An almost carbon copy of the nose. Loads of ginger, vanilla, creamy chocolate, slight oaky spices, cinnamon, baked apples, and a little flurry of mint appears again, just at the end.
Finish:
More wonderfully festival favour profiles. Cinnamon, ginger spice, mocha coffee, Caramac chocolate bars, and some slightly drying oak and spice around the sides of your tongue. This is such a comfortable, relaxing flavour profile. You can see why it’s so loved across the world.
Comments:
It is a more complex offering than the 12 Year Old Sherry Cask, but for the extra money it isn’t that much more complex. Complexity isn’t everything, I do have to say, but for the extra cash you’ll spend on this, you’d want more in a few different ways.

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.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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