We shall begin today’s look at Macallan Edition No. 2 with a celebration. A celebration of wealth. Our club normally only carries one rich dentist member, as they are hard to find and we wish to remain a blue collar group, but we certainly will not resist the emergence of a second, for as well all know, rich dentists are great because they spend their money on glass case whiskies poor schlubs such as myself normally do not gain access to. This newly minted rich dentist consummated his status with a flight of Macallan’s new limited edition (the most stringently regulated industry terms in existence) single malts released once a year. He just showed up one meeting with No. 2, 3, and 4. Praise be to rich dentists.

This specialty line of whiskies are NAS, a consequence of an industry trying to grow but understandably unprepared for it. They are wrapped in a luxury presentation already par for the Macallan course, but after a cursory glance at their official marketing one may feel that overstatement is creeping its way in. However, this being said, the provenance of No. 2, and indeed all the other editions, seems to wear its pedigree in a genuine sense. For example, Macallan’s Master Whiskey Maker solicited the efforts of a family owned restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca in Spain to assist in selection of the casks utilized in finishing Macallan’s malt. These casks include an impressive array of American and European oaks casks from 4 different bodegas totaling 7 unique cask influences. That’s the most I have ever heard of. Anyways, our NAS malt clocks in at 48% ABV. On to it….

SWC Review

Nose- Buttery, sherry soaked raisins with customary vanilla and butterscotch. Biscuity, almost. Light chocolate with some interesting, earthy foliage. Old, damp cellar. Fall leaves.

Taste- Big mouthfeel as one might expect. Ginger with chocolate. Cocoa powder. Toffee cake. Baking spices. Walnuts.

Finish- Nutty. Charred oak, tannic. Souring on the back end with green wood. Not a great ending.

Comment- Starts off well, taste is decent, finish is off. Frankly, it does its own thing well but cost makes it prohibitive. Certainly not the most expensive Macallan out there, but we’d rather save a bit more and purchase the 18.

SWC Rating- 84/100

Agree? Disagree? Go ahead, you won’t hurt my feelings. Just a little, though.