First introduced in 2016, The Macallan Double Cask range met the world in its 12 Years Old expression, seducing whisky lovers with its harmonious union of American and European oak sherry seasoned casks. The union brought about a perfectly balanced single malt Scotch that blooms with distinctive warm character, punctuated with a contemporary soft sweetness.

This year, two new expressions join the range, which at the moment lies at the heart of The Macallan’s portfolio of single malts.

Meet the Double Cask 15 Years Old and 18 Years Old, each created to demonstrate The Macallan’s desire to go beyond the ordinary.

Kirsteen Campbell, Master Whisky Maker, The Macallan, said: “Bringing together American and European oak sherry seasoned casks to achieve the perfect balance of flavours is incredibly exciting for the Whisky Mastery Team, and we are proud to offer two new expressions to this distinctive range for The Macallan Double Cask fans to explore.

“With Double Cask 15 Years Old, the delicate and indulgent flavours of American oak including honey, citrus and chocolate balance The Macallan’s more traditional characteristics of rich fruits, sherry and wood spice. The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old offers slightly more complexity, with rich raisin and sultana subtly balanced by warming oak spice.

“Oak influence is the single greatest contributor to the quality, natural colour and distinctive aromas and flavours at the heart of The Macallan’s single malts.”

The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old

From the bottle, The Macallan 15 Years Old pours forth in the colour of golden butterscotch. On the nose, the notes of dried fruits meet the senses, before rounding off to warm toffee and vanilla from its time in the smooth oak. Take a deeper whiff and you’ll also pick out baked apples balanced with honey and chocolate.

First sip reveals flavours of sweet raisin, sunkissed and rich. The syrupy sweetness of sultanas builds with hints of vanilla, wood spice and citrus the longer you hold it on the tongue. Allow yourself to swallow a sip and warm ginger spice will reveal itself, before slowly melting into caramel and citrus with a creamy mouth feel.

The Macallan Double Cask 18 Years Old

Older and bolder, the 18 Years Old pours out in a red amber honey with and oily and layered viscosity. First nose unveils dried fruits, ginger and toffee with a rich orange tail. If you’re sharp, you’ll also pick up hints of clove with nutmeg.

Take a sip and let your palate be enveloped with the silkiness of rich raisin and sultana with notes of caramel, sweet and saccharine. It melts into flavours of smooth vanilla and ginger balanced by a musky wood spice. Just when you think you’ve gotten to know it, it surprises with a sudden surprise spike of zesty citrus.

Swirl it over the tongue and swallow to indulge in the warm oak spice ending, lifted with veils of ginger turning to sweet orange.

Learn more about The Macallan Double Cask range at the official website here.

(Photos: The Macallan)