Bought this same one a few weeks ago, I love the prominent hazelnut and chocolate notes in it. I agree, the sherry does mask a lot of the Macallan distillate, but I've found it comes through a little better with some water. Cheers!
It is strange that they don't disclose the initial maturation and finishfinishing period with this bottle. I have seen (and sampled) several Signatory bottlings that clearly stated on the label that they were finished in 1st fill sherry. I would agree that there is something particularly 'syrupy' about those 1st fill casks Signatory is using and there typically isn't much left of the distillery character...a bit sad because Signatory has some excellent releases from refill hogsheads! Thanks for reducing my FOMO, Jason.
@@WhiskyJason1I had a reply above but these are Edrington sherry butts presumably from Macallan. Not signatory. Unless Signatory bought a bunch of used Macallan sherry butts, retreated them and filled with Macallan (???) somehow.
Not opened mine as yet but going on the other bottles in the series (Glenlivet, HP, Coal Ila) there may be little left of the distillery. I do find the Craigellachie 15 holds on to the umami and I would recommend it. Maybe just hang on to the (M) bottles for a while... Oh and Bunna CS or even Benromach CS are high on my list this year.
Hi Jason I can't find either of those bottles where I live, but I'm looking for a bottle of kilkerran 8year old cask strength, it's the bourbon and sherry finish, I will pay a high price for it if you have a bottle or know where I can get it, thanks ahead of time, and cheers Jason !!!
I have a bunch of different cask releases of this and the interesting thing is they all have a large outturn for a 17-18 year old. I believe they were reracked from something else. Perhaps Macallan was doing an experiment of finishing bourbon or 3rd fill casks into a new sherry butt. BTW, the DRU numbering scheme indicates these are actual Edrington casks. That is one of the reasons that it is known to be Macallan as that is the only speyside edrington release that starts with M. It's also funny that you talk about syrupy, etc when these are actual Macallan casks. They are not signatory origin casks like they use for Edradour. All the versions I have tried (#12, #32, #1) have a strong cask influence but some are better/more-balanced than others.
It is all very subjective, since covid all I can appreciate, nowhere near my previous level btw, are Sherry Monsters my better half snagged a bottle yesterday. I think the sherry problem may be due to the fact that most sherry butts are no longer actually used to a full sherry maturation but rather to about half way for balsamic vinegar. The last Macallan I had was Private Eye back in the day with the huge caveat that I didn't appreciate what I was gifted. My go to sherry bomb is Tamdhu 15 O.B. To be honest I am waiting for something like my old senses back so I can enjoy peat again - keep trying but 2 days ago an opened (at about the level where the sweet spot usually is for this) Inchmoan nosed and tasted like soap - as for distillate driven whiskys at this stage I am just ignoring them as all I am getting is a generic whisky nose and taste. Thanks for the review btw.
Bought this same one a few weeks ago, I love the prominent hazelnut and chocolate notes in it. I agree, the sherry does mask a lot of the Macallan distillate, but I've found it comes through a little better with some water. Cheers!
Glad you like it!
It is strange that they don't disclose the initial maturation and finishfinishing period with this bottle. I have seen (and sampled) several Signatory bottlings that clearly stated on the label that they were finished in 1st fill sherry.
I would agree that there is something particularly 'syrupy' about those 1st fill casks Signatory is using and there typically isn't much left of the distillery character...a bit sad because Signatory has some excellent releases from refill hogsheads!
Thanks for reducing my FOMO, Jason.
yep - there is often something 'syrupy' about those 1st fill casks Signatory - not always but more and more often
@@WhiskyJason1I had a reply above but these are Edrington sherry butts presumably from Macallan. Not signatory. Unless Signatory bought a bunch of used Macallan sherry butts, retreated them and filled with Macallan (???) somehow.
Not opened mine as yet but going on the other bottles in the series (Glenlivet, HP, Coal Ila) there may be little left of the distillery. I do find the Craigellachie 15 holds on to the umami and I would recommend it. Maybe just hang on to the (M) bottles for a while... Oh and Bunna CS or even Benromach CS are high on my list this year.
This was the only (M) bottle for me
Hi Jason
I can't find either of those bottles where I live, but I'm looking for a bottle of kilkerran 8year old cask strength, it's the bourbon and sherry finish, I will pay a high price for it if you have a bottle or know where I can get it, thanks ahead of time, and cheers Jason !!!
sorry - can't help you there
Whiskybase is selling from the market.
I have a bunch of different cask releases of this and the interesting thing is they all have a large outturn for a 17-18 year old. I believe they were reracked from something else. Perhaps Macallan was doing an experiment of finishing bourbon or 3rd fill casks into a new sherry butt. BTW, the DRU numbering scheme indicates these are actual Edrington casks. That is one of the reasons that it is known to be Macallan as that is the only speyside edrington release that starts with M. It's also funny that you talk about syrupy, etc when these are actual Macallan casks. They are not signatory origin casks like they use for Edradour. All the versions I have tried (#12, #32, #1) have a strong cask influence but some are better/more-balanced than others.
DRU numbering scheme indicates these are actual Edrington casks - THANKS!!
You mean it's not* a well-kept secret.
LOL
It is all very subjective, since covid all I can appreciate, nowhere near my previous level btw, are Sherry Monsters my better half snagged a bottle yesterday. I think the sherry problem may be due to the fact that most sherry butts are no longer actually used to a full sherry maturation but rather to about half way for balsamic vinegar. The last Macallan I had was Private Eye back in the day with the huge caveat that I didn't appreciate what I was gifted. My go to sherry bomb is Tamdhu 15 O.B. To be honest I am waiting for something like my old senses back so I can enjoy peat again - keep trying but 2 days ago an opened (at about the level where the sweet spot usually is for this) Inchmoan nosed and tasted like soap - as for distillate driven whiskys at this stage I am just ignoring them as all I am getting is a generic whisky nose and taste. Thanks for the review btw.
I hope you nose recovers fully
Macallan cask strength 2008
thanks