Scotch

Scotch Whisky Review: Macallan 1993 30 Year Old Halcyon Spirits

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Scotch Whisky Review: Macallan 1993 30 Year Old Halcyon Spirits

A remarkable example old sherried Macallan, bottled independently by Halcyon Spirits from 1993 distillate. Bottled at cask strength, natural colour and non chill filtered.

by Phil Dwyer
April 19, 2025

Phil Dwyer is a whisky enthusiast, YouTuber, and manager of The Whisky Shop Manchester, UK.

Tasting Notes:

About:

A remarkable example old sherried Macallan, bottled independently by Halcyon Spirits from 1993 distillate. Bottled at cask strength, natural colour and non chill filtered.

Appearance:

Ancient Oloroso

Nose:

Freshly cooked apple pie, with cinnamon and orange zest. More pastry themes with pecan pie, maple, and marzipan being thrown into the mix. Think autumn in a glass!

There are some elements of milk chocolate, crushed chilli flakes, a big hit of freshly polished wood – and some contrasting fresh woodland notes of pine and heather plants.

Palate:

A welcome hit of big, chewy oak with more furniture polish notes, lacquered wood, cherry bakewell tarts, chocolate covered raisins, and gentle yet roaming chilli flake spices.

The texture is thick and oily, with some savoury notes of peanuts, thyme, sea salt and cocoa beans.

Finish:

More heavy wood notes, black pepper, lemongrass, Angostura bitters, spicy ginger beer, red vermouth. This is a very demanding and forward style of Macallan, thirty-year-old or not.

Comments:

I’ve had my share of old Macallan samples, this is the most intense of all of them.

With water it becomes a little more restraint, but still has the oak driven dominance that any thirty-year-old, cask strength whisky should have.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer's passion for whisky is undeniable. 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 manages The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curates an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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