Bunghole of a sherry seasoned oak cask 5
7 Our meticulous approach to wood demonstrates the central role it plays in our story but more than that, its fundamental influence on every step of the whisky making journey. This is because wood influences over 80% of the final character and flavour of The Macallan. Double Cask showcases the vital influence of our exceptional American and European oak casks. Stuart oversees the rigorous sourcing, seasoning and production process from Spain, an investment unmatched in the industry. Stuart MacPherson The Macallan Master of Wood
9 This is a single malt which showcases a true balance of character which results in a fully rounded and distinctive flavour profile. By combining wood influences, we have been able to produce a new Macallan which sits perfectly between our existing Sherry Oak and Fine Oak ranges. Bob Dalgarno is Master Whisky Maker He and his team nose thousands of samples every year. This exacting task together with the marrying of different casks is the last step in creating the different Macallan expressions. Bob Dalgarno Master Whisky Maker
American Oak (Quercus Alba) Thought to be over 450 years old this magnificent specimen develops into a broad-topped tree with large branches striking out at wide angles. Commonly sourced from the Eastern US states and predominantly used for bourbon with a small amount going to Jerez for the sherry industry. The fastest growing out of the two families, and far more densely populated. European Oak (Quercus Robur) Is a deciduous tree with a long large rugged crown of branches. They are generally long lived trees that are native to almost every part of Europe. European Oak delivers a significantly higher degree of colour to the spirit. This is due to the higher level of tannins. In the past they were used to tan leather and make ink. The oak provides acidity and dryness in the finished product.
13 The contribution of the oak to colour and flavour American Oak (Quercus Alba) Sweet Vanilla, honey, coconut Fruity Citrus (eg. lemon, blood orange) Spice Ginger, mace, white pepper Wood Toasted oak Colour Pale straw to light amber Spanish Oak (Quercus Robur) Sweet Dark chocolate, treacle Fruity Orange marmalade, raisins, dried fruits (eg. apricots), dark berries Spice Clove, cinnamon, star anise Wood Resinous oak Colour Dark amber to deep mahogany
15 The Spirit The Macallan s curiously small spirit stills are the smallest on Speyside. Their unique size and shape give the spirit maximum contact with the copper, helping to concentrate the new make spirit and provide those rich, fruity, full-bodied flavours so characteristic of The Macallan. There are fourteen of these curiously small stills, crafted from copper, each holding an initial charge of 3,900 litres. The Finest Cut Only some 16% of the spirit, collected from the spirit stills at an exceptionally slow rate of boil, is filled into casks for maturing into The Macallan. This is the best of the best, the heart of the run. This small portion, or cut, is extraordinarily selective and one of the smallest in the industry. It is a prime reason for the full-bodied richness of The Macallan new make spirit. The clear, colourless spirit is collected from the stills at an average 69.8% alcohol by volume. This distinctly robust and characterful new make spirit is the starting point for all variants of The Macallan. Curiously small stills at The Macallan distillery
17 Barley Steeping Germination Kilning Exceptional Oak Casks Warehousing The Spirit Maturation Vatting & Marrying The end spirit is a heavy, waxy, fruity spirit that is designed specifically to stand up to the oak. Russell Anderson - Master Distiller The World s Most Precious Whisky Mashtun Washback Wash Still Spirit Still
The creation of The Macallan oak cask Exceptional oak casks contribute at least 80% of the character of The Macallan 19 Freshly felled oak trees from the dense woodlands of northern Spain and the United States. Expertly cut into oak staves and the American oak travels to Spain. The American oak is sawn and air dried in Ohio before being shipped to southern Spain. Felling of tree in Galicia - Spain The European oak is naturally dried under the warm Spanish sun for 24 months. Toasted (European) or charred (American) to release the natural flavours within the oak and create a filter. Assembled into casks (500 litre butts and puncheons and 250 litre hogsheads) by the most expert of coopers in southern Spain American oak in the Vasyma cooperage and the European oak in the Tevasa cooperage. Filled with the finest dry Oloroso Sherry. Stored at select bodegas in Jerez, southern Spain, soaking the cask with the rich, full flavoured sherry wines for around 18 months. Emptied, transported to Scotland and ready to be filled with the new make spirit. The casks contribute 80% of the character to the final whisky and they are the single greatest contributor to the quality, natural colour, aromas and flavours. Coopering at Tevasa cooperage Jerez
21 Sherry by a Master Sherry is a fortified wine which is produced in and around the beautifully warm southern Spanish town of Jerez De la Frontera in Andalucia. This is an area renowned for exceptional wines - historically, this region has had a very unique link with The Macallan distillery. At The Macallan, we principally use casks seasoned with Oloroso Sherry. These exceptional oak casks are crafted by coopers in Spain and seasoned with Oloroso Sherry under the watchful eye of our Master of Wood, Stuart MacPherson. It is the sherry seasoned casks that deliver so much of the flavour, and 100% of the colour to our single malts. The relationship between single malt and sherry now spans over three centuries. Over this time The Macallan distillery has nurtured strong relationships with some of the most reputable sherry producers in the region: Gonzales Byass, Williams and Humbert and El Agostado to name a few. Once the casks have been seasoned for over 18 months in Jerez de la Frontera, the casks will make their final journey where they will be filled with The Macallan new make spirit.
23 American oak trees are expertly crafted into Sherry seasoned oak casks Double Cask Creation New make whisky is left to mature for at least 12 years A beautiful partnership, as sunshine and rain create a spectacular rainbow, so the pairing of sherry seasoned European and American oak casks combine in a perfect harmony of flavours and natural colour. It is this partnership that reveals an unmatched investment in and extraordinary commitment to wood mastery for which The Macallan has been known since 1824. Married together The American oak travels thousands of miles to Spain where it is seasoned with Oloroso Sherry alongside its European cousin for 18 months. The casks are then transported to Scotland where they are filled with The Macallan new make spirit. New make whisky is left to mature for at least 12 years The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask Pour and enjoy Once it has matured under the watchful eye of the whisky maker and his team, Bob Dalgarno expertly marries together these two different cask types to create The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask. European oak trees are expertly crafted into Sherry seasoned oak casks
25 Apple Peaty 5 Citrus 4 Spicy Woody Vanilla 3 2 1 Oily Floral Dried Fruits The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask Aroma Creamy butterscotch, toffee apple, candied orange, vanilla custard and newly felled oak. Palate Wood spices (ginger and nutmeg), citrus, caramel, raisins and resinous. Finish Oak lingers, warm, sweet and drying. Malty
27 Smoky Mature 5 4 Cereal Vanlla 3 2 1 Floral The Macallan 12 Years Old Fine Oak Dried Fruits Spicy Fruity Citrus Derives its style from maturation in three cask types. We ve taken everything we know about sherry seasoned casks and combined with whiskies matured in American ex-bourbon casks. Diverse in character, well rounded due to the split sherry seasoning of European and American oak casks, yet lighter and creamy owing to bourbon seasoned American oak cask influence. Delicate yet complex. Nose Complex with a hint of fruit and heather honey. Palate Medium, balanced with fruit, oak and spice. Finish Lingering with dried fruits, oak and spice.
29 Peaty Apple 5 4 Citrus Spicy 3 2 1 Floral The Macallan 12 Years Old Woody Vanilla Malty Oily Dried Fruits Derives its style from 100% sherry seasoned European oak casks. An intensely matured character. The character is rich, with layers of wood spice and dried fruits. Powerful and intense. Nose Complex with a hint of fruit and heather honey. Palate Medium, balanced with fruit, oak and spice. Finish Lingering with dried fruits, oak and spice.
Sunlight through the European oak tree
33 Perfect Serve The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask Pouring The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask over a crystal clear ice ball perfectly chills the whisky. The ice ball will slowly melt and release the aromas within the whisky. Method Add 50ml of The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask to an old fashioned glass with a clear ice sphere.
35 Inspirational Serve The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask Recreating the flavours and classic drinking rituals of the US and Europe. The classic mint julep showcases the link to American oak, we have introduced Oloroso Sherry to enhance the character derived from the seasoning of the casks. This ritual is a blend of two worlds coming together, the Spanish Oloroso Sherry provides a rich fruity finish to the refreshing julep. Sherry Julep 50ml The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask 20ml Oloroso Sherry 5x Fresh mint 15ml Maple water Method Add all the ingredients to an old fashioned glass and stir together, top with crushed ice and a sprig of mint.
37 Inspirational Serve The Macallan 12 Years Old Teasing the rich flavours from The Macallan Sherry Oak, this classic American sipper is enhanced with the rich European sherry finish to The Macallan 12 Years Old. The smoked salt enhances the charring effect on the European oak casks. Smoked Oak old fashioned 50ml The Macallan 12 Years Old 15ml Maple syrup Pinch of smoked salt Method Add all the ingredients to an old fashioned glass and stir together with a small ice cube, add more ice and a cherry to garnish. For a full and intense flavour experience, enjoy The Macallan 12 Years Old neat.
39 Inspirational Serve The Macallan 12 Years Old Fine Oak This serve is a refreshing twist on a Gin & Tonic, which showcases the versatility of The Macallan 12 Years Old Fine Oak. The sweet vanilla notes found in The Macallan 12 Years Old Fine Oak balance perfectly with the sour lemon and the dry sherry and create a balanced base for the zing of the tonic. The Macallan Copa 35ml The Macallan 12 Years Old Fine Oak 15ml Manzanilla sherry Squeeze of fresh lemon Tonic water Method Build all the ingredients into a Spanish copa and garnish with a lemon wheel. Enjoy The Macallan 12 Years Old Fine Oak neat, over ice, with water or as a long mixed drink.
41 The Ritual The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask Ritual This ritual allows the consumer to choose between an American or a European oak finish to their whisky. Using the American oak will add a vanilla sweetness and lemon citrus smoke to the glass before we coat it with the whisky. The European oak will coat the glass with a dark chocolate and rich fruit flavoured smoke. The serve is presented on the burnt stave with a side of salted fudge. This complements the smoked Double Oak flavour and reflects the charring process followed in the cask production. 1. The Customer picks American or European. 2. The bartender burns the appropriate stave and places a glass over the smoke. 3. Turn the glass over and pour in The Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask. 4. Serve with a side of salted toffee/fudge.
43 Sponge cake and toasted buckwheat give way to heather honey, fig jam and vanilla custard. On the palate it grips well, with malt and soft summer fruit taking centre stage. A great everyday dram that deserves to be drunk neat. Tristan Stephenson Author of the curious bartender and odyssey of whisky. Owner of the Black Rock whisky bar.
45 It has the typically enticing Macallan nose. Lots of orchard fruits, but with a greener savoury note in the background, alongside some dried fruits. The profile is a good balance between sweetness and the grip from the oak. Great texture with a short finish. Ryan Chetiyarwardana A.K.A Mr Lyan. International Bartender of the Year Spirited Awards 2015, owner of the multi award winning White Lyan cocktail bar.
Galicia, Spain, where oak trees used to make The Macallan oak casks are found. 47