The Macallan

Macallan in Hong Kong is probably the most popular whisky brand. It’s the brand of choice as a gift to friends or relatives, as well as everyday drinking. Why? Because everyone knows Macallan, and it’s an easy brand to love. At our shop, the most popular is the Macallan 12 Years Old Single Malt, it’s without a doubt a great everyday drink, whether it’s the Macallan Sherry Cask, Triple Cask, or the Macallan Double Cask.

Macallan in Popular Culture

Macallan in Hong Kong has reached its stardom status thanks in large part to its appearances in popular culture. Where? We begin with James Bond SkyFall, where a shot of a “50 year old Macallan” was used as target practice. It ended up spilling when the antagonist missed it on purpose. Another very popular on screen appearance is the show Suits. The Macallan 18 Years Old Single Malt was as much of a star on the show as Mike Ross and Harvey Spectre. And of course, most recently the Macallan 18 Years Old makes its appearance with Ashley Barret from The Boys in her office. It’s perhaps no coincidence that the Macallan is often associated with successful individuals on screen, and the brand is almost always consumed in an office instead of a home.

How is Macallan Different from Others? 

First, Macallan is based in Speyside Highland, located on fertile ground and founded by Alexander Reid, a barley farmer and school teacher. Macallan has denied there’s anything special about its water or terroir, but what is special is their raw ingredient and their cask quality. Macallan uses Concerto barley, along with another barley strain called Momentum, which is exclusive to Macallan. According to the distiller, they use a special strain of “distiller’s yeast” that imparts the particular flavours found in The Macallan. They claim the fermentation process impacts the amount of esters in the wash, and determines the fruity flavour profiles that it has.

Apart from barley, another important factor that goes into its unique character is Macallan’s cask selection. Macallan employs their own Master of Wood, who selects specifically which casks are suitable for aging. Seventy year old American oaks come from Ohio, Missouri, and Kentucky, whilst European oak are harvested from Cantabria, Galicia, and mainly comes from sherry casks with higher tannins. Let’s explore the relationship between Macallan’s cask selection and how they are used; using their 12 year old single malts as examples.

Macallan 12 Years Old Sherry Cask Single Malt

First, and perhaps most famous Macallan in Hong Kong, is the Macallan 12 Years Old Sherry Cask Single Malt as its flagship. Olorosso sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez are used in the mature process, picking up lots of spices, dried fruits, and some nutty and leather flavours. Some Macallan Hong Kong drinkers often comment on the golden colour of the Macallan 12 years and assume that it has caramel added to enhance the richness of its colours. In fact, all colours from Macallan’s whisky come from the cask. Overall, the Macallan 12 years is one of the most affordable, high quality classic choices for everyday consumption as it sets the standard. Since the Macallan 12 years hasn’t soaked up too much of the sherry cask flavour (compared to its brother the Macallan 18 Years Sherry Cask), it’s best enjoyed with a rock ice, or neat. Drinkers should expect a light, elegant, and articulate fruity profile from a Macallan 12 Years Old Single Malt.

Macallan 12 Years Old Double Cask Single Malt

The Macallan 12 years combines whisky matured in sherry seasoned casks of both American and European oak. That way, it picks up beautiful delicate flavours of honey, citrus, ginger, as well as some raisin and caramel notes from the American oak, while also exhibiting slight nuttiness and toast from the European oak. Overall, if you like a more delicate and articulate flavour, the Macallan 12 Years Double Cask is a fantastic choice for everyday drinking.

Macallan 12 Years Old Triple Cask Single Malt

The Macallan 12 Years Triple Cask is matured in American and European sherry seasoned casks, and ex-bourbon American oak casks. The Macallan 12 years Triple Cask exhibits notes of vanilla, melon, and citrus zest, with some toast oak and spice characters.

Macallan Seasoned Casks

If you’re wondering what the difference is between a seasoned sherry cask, and an ex-sherry cask, you’re not alone. In the old days, sherry casks were essentially transport casks that carried sherry from Spain into the UK, this created an abundance of casks in the UK for maturation.

However, since Spain amended the laws in 1981, requiring all sherry be bottled before transportation, sherry barrels have essentially dried up. Nowadays, there is an entire industry that produces sherry seasoned casks for the industry. Distillers like Macallan pre-orders these sherry flavoured casks especially for their aging process. These casks are often American oaks, and seasoned with young sherry for anywhere from two to five years before being shipped to for use.

Macallan from Us

Macallan in Hong Kong is amongst the most popular brands. Our aim is not to source the rarest and oldest Macallan, but rather our aim is to serve it as an everyday affordable luxury. If you order from our shop before 1pm, we can deliver to you the next day in most areas of Hong Kong. If you’re looking for a particular Macallan variety that you don’t see on our website, do contact us via email or phone, and we’ll sniff it out for you.