Whiskey Macallan is the king of Scotch whiskey

Fans of fire distilleries probably heard about the Macallan whiskey, and maybe even tried it. This drink makes you fall in love with yourself from the first sip. Its balanced delicate taste with the aroma of haze is unforgettable. No wonder the drink is called the king of Scotch whiskey. And what about a long train of melted honey, cinnamon and espresso! But the consumer (especially in our country) is perplexed: there are bottles at a fabulously high price, but one can find similar ones, but quite acceptable. Why such a spread in value? Where do they bring the "Makallan", how it is manufactured and what brands are represented on the market? How do they drink this distillate and mix it with what? We will try to answer all of these questions in the article.

History of the drink "Makallan"

Ireland and Scotland are arguing about the right to be called the homeland of whiskey. The dust of the past centuries hides the truth from us. But the "Macallan", no doubt, was born under the harsh sky of Scotland and "nourished" with water from mountain glaciers. Whiskey itself appeared in the XVIII century, but the patent was granted only in 1824. The house was replaced by many owners. A distinctive feature of whiskey Macallan gave in the late XIX century, the next owner, Roderick Kemp. The fact that ... bequeathed the production to the daughters. Having got into sensitive female hands, the drink became delicate and gentle. Sisters Kemp got the smallest cubes in Scotland for distillation. In addition, in the process they are used not two, as usual, but three. But, so to speak, in the old manner, Mrs. Kemp adhered to the single-mal type of production. The drink before bottling was aged in barrels of white Spanish oak, where before the sherry "Oloroso" was stored.

Whiskey "Makallan" today

Kemp's daughters formed the Macallan Trust. But time does not stand still. And in 1965 the trust was transformed into a joint-stock company Kemp Macallan-Glenlivet Ltd. This inscription can be read on old bottles. Now the name of the manufacturer has changed - The Edrington Group. The plant produces six million liters a year. Why is such a significant amount of production "Makallan" is considered one of the most expensive beverages? Three and a half or four thousand rubles - that's the lowest cost of a bottle of twelve-year-old Macallan-whiskey. The price for more restrained beverages is even higher: "Estimate reserve" - from 12 500 rubles, and "Oscura" and all at all 32 000. And in 2007 at Christie's bottle "Makalllan Fine & Rare" in 1926 went for 36 thousand pounds . So was the record of the cost of whiskey. At the same time, unscrupulous sellers will get you a false McAllan, assuring that the bottle was bought in duty free shops. Do not believe. And do not put your health at risk.

Why pay so much money?

The single malt whiskey Macallan is made from the highly capricious and low-yielding barley variety Golden Promise (Golden Promise), which grows only in the Speyside Valley (Scotland). We will not bore you here with the description of all this long whiskey that has lasted for at least twelve years. We only note that neither dyes nor caramels are added to it. Dried malt - sprouted grain - over stoves in which Scottish peat is used as fuel. It gives a light aroma of smoke to the drink. Barrels from under sherry are ten times more expensive than oak containers, in which bourbon was kept. But the most important stage in the production of "Makallan" is "marriage" - the blending of spirits. If the master mistakes in proportions - "marriage" will be unsuccessful, in the end all the long work will go wrong. Small copper distillation cubes give the drink an oily, strong and pleasant fruit tones. And water, which is diluted with alcohols to the desired consistency, is taken from underground sources. This gives an amazing drink an unusual softness.

Production: whiskey Macallan 12 years

The ruler "Makallan" offers distillates for every taste. And since the seventies of the last century their products have become very popular. The fashion for the single malt whiskey was affected. Previously, mono-spiral alcohols were manufactured only for the production of blended whiskey. But since the sixties, the management of the company has risked and began to bottled its products for bottles for sale directly to consumers. The success was staggering. Macallan 12 - the most available whiskey at the moment. This is a relatively easy option for a classic home product. It is soft, balanced in herbal and spicy notes. In the taste there are shades of fruit and mossy wood. The color of the drink is deep, honey-amber, with a touch of cherry wood. The aroma of sherry is palpable, but the smell of vanilla is mixed with it. The aftertaste is long, peat is felt in it.

Macallan Select Oak 12

This scotch can be purchased in stores for 3600 rubles. The drink has a delicate aroma that gives it notes of prunes, cherries and creamy toffee. A well-balanced taste with hints of sweet spices will take you to the pre-Christmas time. Soft warm vanilla, roasted nuts and fruit notes will create an atmosphere of comfort and home. The aftertaste is lasting. The color of the drink is golden. This brand appeared only at the beginning of this century, but it has already gained unprecedented popularity. Adhesive Macallan 12 Select Oak is aged in special oak barrels (this can be seen from the name) from sherry and bourbon. Wood also plays a role. This is American, European and Spanish oak. As a result, you get an excellent drink, which once you try, you will fall in love for a lifetime.

"Makallan Fine Oak"

There is a very interesting collection of whiskeys - Macallan Fine Oak. The first copy of this product was submitted to a court of experts ten years ago, in 2004. And since then, bottles with this refined drink are valued almost in weight of gold. Mono-malt whiskey passes a long - at least twelve years - ripening in three different barrels. The wood of European oak gives the drink notes of warm spices, dried fruits and chocolate. The dessert of bourbon, which was once contained in the container, gives whiskey a floral scent and vanilla sweetness. Sugar barrels from American oak add notes of iris, coconut and lemon. Whiskey has a rich straw color, has a fruity and vanilla flavor. Its taste is perfectly balanced, with a long train, in which the shades of spice and oak are guessed. It can be said that the bottle with this Scotch tape contains the spirit of Scotland itself.

Eighteen-year-old "Makallan"

This is also a single malt whiskey. But if the twelve-year-old "Makallan" can be called a cute teenager with a balanced character, then his mature brother is much more difficult. This is a charming macho, according to which, like the legendary Preysley, thousands of fans all over the world are drying. In 2004, Macallan - whiskey 18 years old, was recognized by the authoritative edition of Whiskey Magazine as the best in the world among such beverages. Grain for him is grown exclusively in Speyside, ripens the drink in sherry barrels of Spanish white oak. Whiskey has a warm amber color with reddish sparks, has a sweet caramel flavor. The taste of the drink is "viscous", creamy, with edging of heather honey. It also hears a chord of citrus, grapes, haze. A long aftertaste will please you with shades of espresso and bitter chocolate.

McAullan 1824

There is a very expensive - but justified - a series of whiskey Macallan 1824 Collection. In its production, the manufacturer moved away from his rule - to use only one kind of grain. In fact, three varieties of barley are grown on the fields of Macallan lands - only for this collection. It is especially worth noting "Estate Reserve". This whiskey has a softer taste and aroma than other samples of the "McAllan" line. It can also be called a ladies' drink. But "Oscura" - the strongest of the entire collection. It is created by "marrying" various alcohols obtained between 1987 and 1997. The strength of this whiskey is 46 and a half percent. The whole collection is distinguished by warm flavors of homemade cakes, vanilla, ripe fruits, cinnamon, ginger and honey. The citrus notes refresh this cozy idyll with explosive young sparks.

Gastronomic combinations

Experts say that the unique taste of Macallan whiskey sounds best solo. Do not humiliate him, mixing with Coca-Cola and a similar pop. Not for this, it was aged in sherry casks for more than twelve years. To drink such whiskey recommend slightly chilled. This drink is suitable for a friendly men's company in a leather-studded office. Whiskey will ease tension during a business conversation. As for romantic dates, you can try to prepare for the girl cocktails with the participation of Makallan. This will dilute the strength of whiskey, but retain its excellent taste. Here is the simplest recipe - "Resident of New York". Mix in the shaker forty milliliters of whiskey, half the amount of lemon juice and two bar spoons of "Grenadine" (syrup of pomegranate). Spill over the cocktail glasses.