Review #48: Macallan Edition No. 4 (Re-Review)

Distillery: Macallan

Region: Speyside

ABV: 48.4%

Age: NAS

Price: $100

Color: 1.4, Tawny. Natural Color (!!!).

I have, so far, not done a re-review of any whisky. The last time I tried the Macallan Edition No. 4 however, I was left with mixed feelings because for some reason, I couldn’t smell anything in the nose. Perhaps it was the bar I was at or just an off day but I felt I had to give this guy a second chance, especially since the rest of it was so delicious. Plus, trying this at home, my lovely wife was able to take a few sniffs at it as well to help with the review.

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Nose (according to the wife): There is definitely a nose to this one and it is full of extremely rich oak. Almost the only thing you smell is a lovely, sherry drenched oak which is lovely. Toward the back end, you get some raisins as well which play well with the rich oak.

Palate: I thought it was a sherry monster 3 months ago and I still think it’s a sherry monster now. Beyond the sherry, there is the malt sweetness along with traces of honey, those raisins from the nose, chocolate, orange peel, and some oak spices. Hidden in there, there is the tiniest trace of tobacco which I didn’t get in every sip, just here and there. With a bit of water, some toasted nuts come out as well as fig jam. Surprisingly, last time I had this, I remember tasting vanilla. I didn’t get any this time around. Perhaps it’ll come out with a bit of oxidation in the bottle.

Finish: Medium to long. Lovely sherry-infused oak spices and a warming sensation that spreads all through your chest and arms.

Conclusion: Absolutely a treat. Macallan really packed in the flavor on this guy and I love it. Being able to smell the whisky helps elevate this one as well, particularly given that it really sets the tone with lots and lots of sherry-soaked oak. I only have one bottle and I really should be getting myself a second and a third.

Final Score: 87

Scotch whisky review #48, Speyside review #23, Whisky Network Review #65

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Scoring Legend:

• 96-100: The perfect dram, nectar of the gods.
• 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky.
• 85-89: Amazing, will always try to keep a bottle of this in my collection.
• 80-84: Very Good, maybe only one minor nitpick about the whisky keeping it here.
• 75-79: Good, quite enjoyable to drink.
• 70-74: Solid, wouldn’t go out of my way to get it.
• 60-69: Meh, still drinkable.
• Below 59: If you have a bottle of this, start cooking with it instead.