[Preview]
Ruby, Naomi, MHB’s principal photographer Andy Kho and I excitedly headed over to The Oak Hall in Damansara Perdana on 27 September 2018 for The Macallan’s unveiling of their latest release in its annual series – The Macallan Edition No.4. The event commemorated the whisky being officially launched in the Malaysian market, and I hear that it’s selling fast as limited edition whiskies are always in high demand.
The new Edition No.4 is a celebration of the new Macallan distillery and visitor experience, located in the Easter Elchies estate in Scotland. Embodying the craftsmanship and pioneering design of the new £140 million distillery, the brand reveals a different take in the Edition No.4, exploring the whisky making process and exposing the detail of the creation behind it; demonstrating the mastery of The Macallan whisky making process since its humble beginnings in 1824. Since then, The Macallan has risen to become the leading international single malt by value while also enjoying leading positions in some of the world’s most significant Scotch whisky markets, including the USA, Taiwan and Japan.
We started the evening with bespoke cocktails served with The Macallan Sherry Oak 12 Years Old, while we were introduced to the new Macallan Distillery through a 30-foot photo gallery and interactive touchscreens displays. Also featured was a mini-cask booth, where the girls tried their hands at assembling a cask from scratch (the traditional way, without nails or glue) – really not as easy as it seems!
We were then ushered into the launch room and brought into an immersive 3D journey through the new Macallan distillery via a large-screen 360 ° orbit video, coordinated & presented by Randall Tan, Brand Advocate of The Macallan Singapore. Randall later conducted a tasting session where guests were treated to an exclusive first dram of the Edition No.4.
In conjunction with Edrington’s annual regional fundraising initiative (EPIC), 12 bottles of The Macallan Edition 4 were also auctioned off, with 100% of all proceeds going to the support of Newborns Vietnam, a non-government organization (NGO) that works with hospitals in Vietnam to reduce infant mortality. The bottles were priced at RM 1,000 each and was snapped up within minutes.
The evening was further liven with a melodic performance by songstress Evelyn Feroza, and an appetizing array of South-American and Spanish themed cuisine, specially prepared by Las Carretas & La Bodega.
The Macallan Edition No.4 is the fourth release in the innovative Edition Series embodies the craftsmanship and pioneering design of the new Macallan Distillery and demonstrates the mastery of whisky making on the estate since 1824.
Edition No.4 explores the whisky making process, exposing the detail of its creation for true transparency. It continues the diverse story of The Macallan’s exceptional oak casks and the skill behind the perfect cask selection to reveal the flavour, aroma and character of the whisky.
While Edition No.1 and Edition No.2 highlighted the influence each cask has on the taste and flavour of the whisky and Edition No.3 provided an insight into the aromas, Edition No.4 reveals the structure of the whisky, drawing parallels on how The Macallan Distillery is constructed and showcasing the lengths The Macallan goes to when creating single malts.
This limited edition whisky has been shaped by the use of exceptional oak casks, which are the single greatest contributor to the outstanding quality, natural colours and distinctive aromas and flavours of The Macallan. The Master Distiller has handpicked casks to reflect a modern flavour profile while staying true to The Macallan sherry-seasoned oak casks maturation.
The meticulous attention to detail and quality in the oak cask selection brings different dimensions as each cask imparts its own influence to the whisky, delivering surprising aromas and character. Crafted from a combination of European and American oak casks, Edition No.4 presents a zesty, vibrant and invigorating single malt that brings to the fore notes of rounded honey, sweet toffee and citrus fruits.
Taking inspiration from the structure of the new distillery, Edition No.4 exposes the role of each cask in the making of the whisky. European oak sherry-seasoned casks from Tevasa provide the foundation, contributing rich notes of dried fruit and delivering a layer of wood spices and root ginger, while European oak sherry-seasoned casks from Jose y Miguel Martin and Diego Martin Rosado shape the form of the whisky, offering notes of dried fruit, dates and figs. American oak sherry-seasoned casks from Vasyma balance the structure, imparting vanilla, toffees and butterscotch and the capstone which completes the composition is represented through refill sherry-seasoned oak casks, bringing the bright, lively character of citrus fruits.
Nick Savage, The Macallan Master Distiller, said: “Edition No.4 is a celebration of The Macallan’s whisky making heritage as we enter an exciting new era, marking the coming together of our history and new horizons in the creation of two structural masterpieces: a remarkable whisky and a magnificent new distillery.
“This is a truly spectacular single malt, delivering a rounded honey and sweet toffee aroma and an intense burst of nutmeg with wood spices on the palate. A powerful and invigorating mouth feel, as if standing on top of the new distillery roof in the Speyside breeze. A combination of carefully selected sherry-seasoned oak casks brings out unique refreshing qualities and delivers an unforgettable whisky experience.”
The new Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience captures the care, passion and superior craftsmanship that goes into every bottle of The Macallan. This extraordinary brand home pays tribute to the traditions of the whisky and its natural Speyside environment.
With an ABV of 48.4% and a natural colour of burnished copper, Edition No.4 is a distinct whisky that pushes the boundaries of innovation and reflects the passion, traditions and craftsmanship that goes into the art of the perfect cask selection.
The Macallan Edition No.4 is priced at RM600 in Malaysia and is available worldwide from July 2018.
Tasting notes:
Colour: Burnished copper
Nose: Bold and rounded honey with a sweet toffee apple note. Orange zest follows a background of ginger and nutmeg. Robust, polished matured oak comes at the end in contrast to the subtle green wood and floral undertones.
Palate: Nutmeg with wood spices and green cloves open up immediately, with a calm following the intense beginnings, leaving a sweet and vanilla viscous mouth coating.
Finish: Fruity with oaky sweetness, long and lasting.
For more info, head over to http://www.themacallan.com
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