Whisky Forum - Mac 25 authenticity

agoldf · Single Malt Member Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Posts: 66

I find it odd that the label on this bottle is so good - except for the fact that the red "25"s are totally gone. Thoughts?
http://www.whisky-onlineauctions.com/macallan-25-year-old-anniversary-malt-single-speyside-malt-scotch-whisky.html

Millie_chops · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:04 am Post subject:

Firstly can I just say that I'm no expert. In fact a total beginner when it comes to whisky. I should also add that I'm looking at this bottle on my iphone so not the best for viewing pictures.

What I would say is that the 70cl and 43% vol look extremely bold. I would also add that 'if' someone was to try and copy/create the label., the red 25 would be the most difficult part to create.

Hopefully someone with more expertise than myself will be able to give you a clearer idea on this one.

Crane · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 12:37 pm Post subject:

It is very odd that the red 25 appears to be missing.

halwal1 · New Member Joined: 27 Dec 2013 Posts: 3

I would suggest that its authentic

- I have seen some without the red 25 on the label. I think ones distilled before 1969 do not have the red 25. This label looks quite similar to the 1967 Macallan 25 year Anniversary edition.

- the wording, text and bottle shape is very consistent with other Macallan anniversary editions.

- I agree the % VOL and 70 cl descriptors are unusually bold, and the font is slightly different than other editions, but Im not sure that is enough to worry. Could have been for an overseas market?

Suggest you buy it and enjoy it! if you can afford it.
my thoughts.
LH
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LH

Kray · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 4:11 pm Post subject:

Looking at the enlargement of the image, the label doesnt seem to have any colour whatsoever. No gold lettering in The Macallan name

The Macallan has always been a target for the fakers and as i have never come across any of these Macallan 25 Year Old Anniversary Malts without the big red 25 on the label i would not personally go near this bottle.

chrisg · Double Malt Member Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Posts: 197

The Macallan 25 has been a target for the fakers in the past. I have never come across a bottle without the large red 25 on the label. Doing a quick search in google images, i can only see bottles with the red 25.

Andy M · Master Of Malts Joined: 09 Jul 2007 Posts: 1212

TheWM · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:30 pm Post subject:

Look at the top left hand side of the label. It says YEARS OLD, but nothing else. The other ones that I have seen (admittedly only online) have a similar red lettering 25 as on the main body of the label.

And also, I tried to look for differences in spelling or style in the actual writing. On the 15th line it reads on other ones that have been posted....

....HAND BEATEN COPPER STILLS - AND,....

On the one on the auction that you have the link to, I am sure I cannot see the hyphen between STILLS AND, just a gap. It might be a lower res photo, but I can see it in all the others I have googled.

Given a bit more time, I reckon other minor oddities would pop out. Steer clear IMO.

Genuine Risk · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:58 pm Post subject:

I didn't want to post till I had emailed. According to the people at the auction the bottle has "heavy fading to the label". I have to say the descriptor should have said this instead of excellent condition.

Might be good practice to email auctions before posting on here, I would have been right pissed if one of my bottles got flagged as a fake.
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Putting the func in dysfunctional.

agoldf · Single Malt Member Joined: 19 Jan 2012 Posts: 66

I did email them this morning and they said there is a very faint 25. That being said, I have seen many Mac 25s, many with faded labels but never one with the black so bold and the red so faded as to be invisible.
I did not claim it is a fake but there is clearly grounds for concern. Especially that given the absence of a vintage the bottle is almost certainly from after 2000 possibly from as late as 2004 yet there is no trace of red?
To be clear, I do not think that they are doing anything wrong but that does not make the bottle authentic.

Kray · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:13 pm Post subject:

This is the first time i have heard of the big red 25 fading away and it is also odd that the gold Macallan has faded to black. I still wouldnt go near the bottle. The auction site should really provide an accurate description.

Macallan will always be a target for fakers and this has been highlighted on the whisky fun website in the past. There is a bit about the Macallan 25 Anniversary malt here http://www.whiskyfun.com/war.html

Millie_chops · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:28 pm Post subject:

Millie_chops · Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:48 pm Post subject:

Mark · Master Of Malts Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 1664

I agree agoldf, there is clearly grounds for concern with this one and it is good that you mentioned it here.

I have to say that it is a very poor show on whisky-onlineauctions.com part for failing to give a full description, you should not have to request a full accurate description. I see that the auction has ended at Â£460, hopefully someone got themselves a good buy.

Samson · Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 2:12 am Post subject:

Yes i agree there is certainlly grounds for concern and it is right that agoldf highlighted it. It is up to the auctioneer to get their description right and on this occasion they have not whether that is deliberate, who knows but it certainly reflects badly on them and rightly so.