Ok, the Gold was nice, but I was still looking for something a bit more , how shall I put it ? : Bigger. Bolder . Better. and here comes Amber and Sienna. Will they deliver?
The Macallan Amber – 1824 Series , 40% abv , £44.55 (at Master of Malt)
Amber consists of a vatting of a combination of European and American oak casks, most of which are re-fill sherry puncheons and butts, and more first fill casks than the Gold, so flavours should be ‘bigger’ here. It’s bottled at a rather boring 40%, which is ok, and costs around £44. So, shall we?
Nose: Richer than the Gold with some sultanas, and a wee bit of citrus (orange) vanilla and fruit (pears, apples) and a nice cinnamon-y touch too. Richer yet fresh, with not a lot of sherry influence.
Palate: Sweeter than the palate suggested, with lovely of sultanas and chocolate, in addition to fudge, caramel and some wood and orange zest.
Finish : Medium with bitter sweet malt, cereals, sultanas and wood.
bottom line:
This is a very nice dram, sweet and fruity but without loosing its citrusy edge, I like that a lot more than the Gold. Although it leaves something to be desired… Let’s hope the Sienna will deliver..
Score: 84/100
The Macallan Sienna – 1824 Series , 43% abv , £65.34 (at Master of Malt)
Ok, this one is a big step forward from the last two drams. First of all it’s bottled at 43% rather than the boring 40% (Oh mighty gods of the Macallan, what will it take so you bottle your drams at say, 48% abv? ). As for cask selection – we’re talking 100% first fill sherry (American and European mix). So, 100% fisrt fill should put some nice sherry notes into this dram, and make it worth calling a Macallan, right? right!
Nose: Thick and sweet sultanas, honey, Demerara sugar, with orange zest, and oak. much richer than both Amber and Gold, this is the real deal!
Palate: Dried fruit : sultanas, apricots, peaches, lovely sherry influence with some chocolate, fudge, light spices, cinnamon and icing sugar.
Finish: Long, sweet, chocolate. raisins, spice.
bottom line:
Now, this is a dram I can see myself sipping every day. It’s good. It’s a sherry Mac like we like them.It delivers, and Yes, i want one. if this is not a good sign, I do not know what’s a good sign (this is the only 1824 series bottling that has gone out of stock at MOM) So, bottle this at 48% and you’ve got yourself a stunner. really so.
Score: 88/100
Many thanks to LH for the official sample