New The Macallan Edition No. 5 Highlights Whisky Color

The Macallan Edition series, as we’ve highlighted over time, has focused upon various aspects of being a Scotch single malt, be it the oak it is aged in, the aromas it puts forth or the structure of its composition. This has resulted in four bottlings to date, and now the latest, Edition No. 5, is set to come to retail with a focus on whisky color.

The new The Macallan Edition No. 5, according to those behind it, is a “homage to the diversity and complexity of the natural colors of The Macallan whiskies.” The distillery is said to be one of the few to have 100% natural color in its bottlings, with said coloring largely the result of its well regarded cask maturation program. The Macallan has partnered with color experts at the Pantone Color Institute to create this expression and its purple color consideration.

Now, why purple you might ask? As explained by Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, in a prepared statement, “As the rainbow’s most complex color, purple naturally felt like the ideal shade to highlight the equally complex process involved in The Macallan’s whisky making.  This new vibrant shade developed for Edition No. 5, brings to life the exquisite combination of distinctive natural hues found in this whisky.”

It is definitely a very esoteric rational for this release, but if that’s what the powers that be think will help getting folks interested in exploring the Scotch, so be it. Put in a slightly different way of thinking by Sarah Burgess, The Macallan Whisky Maker, “Whilst color development starts with mixing basic colors with precision to achieve different shades, for whisky making, it is the knowledge and understanding of a specific palette of colors from the cask which is the starting point.  From here we can craft the desired character and specific color of the final whisky.”

It is said only American oak casks were handpicked for this 48.5% ABV single malt, “primarily for their color,” in order to deliver a whisky with a “a beautiful, sunlit barley color.” Edition No. 5, of which you’ll find some official tasting notes below for, is set to hit global markets this month for around $120.

• Aroma: Vanilla and toffee with notes of oak, nutmeg and ginger and lemon basil and pear.
• Palate: Fresh and sweet with caramel moving into poached peaches and ripe pear. Quickly followed by a toffee sweetness with light oak spices in the form of nutmeg and hints of ginger in the background.
• Finish: Long and sweet.