Crabbie's 30 Year Old Sherry Single Cask - Is it Macallan?

[eelbrook]

My specialist whisky retailer told me this was Macallan.

But Crabbie keeping 'tight lipped'.

Does anyone have the answer?

It is a pretty hefty £500.

[Grant M]

Is this your specialist whisky retailers guess or is he in the know?

[lincoln imp]

£500 for an unnamed Speyside is far too much, the 1973 numerous unnamed Speysiders by the likes of TWA and Whisky Fassle, Sansibar etc were all under £400 and they were all 40+ years old.

He is not that smart anyway because Macallan in the last 10 years has been far from great so he still thinks if he drops in the Macallan name you will think you are getting a bargain, the blokes a joker, buy something else.
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Pour me a glass please.

[eelbrook]

As yet, I've not explored what has led to my retailer being so bold as to claim that an 'unnamed' expression is Macallan.

In today's market, although I appreciate that £500 is a lot of money, it would be reasonable for a 30yo sherried indie bottling that was definitely Macallan.

But it is over the top for a 'mystery' bottle from the late Eighties.

[lincoln imp]

[eelbrook]

I guess there were a few indie's and brokers who could have bought casks of sherried Macallan before the distillery stopped sharing. Indeed, I think that Carn Mor has just bottled a Macallan

[eelbrook]

Three different specialist retailers have now confirmed to me that this is a Macallan 30 Year Old Sherry Cask expression. Seemingly, it was distilled in the year when some lightly peated malt was used (by mistake?) by Macallan.

The liquid aside, the presentation is totally and utterly stunning.

[eelbrook]

My wife and I finally sampled this on Saturday.

On the nose, both of us found the peat quite noticeable.

However, on the palate and in the finish, it was way more subtle. Sweetness with just a hint of smoke.

Different.

[lincoln imp]

[eelbrook]

As a "drinker", I'd have to say 'no'.

[eelbrook]

The RMW Blog also concludes that this mystery expression is peated Macallan.

[lincoln imp]

[eelbrook]

Don't feel sorry for me please. It is all part of the 'journey'. Whilst the price tag is perhaps a little steep, it is a very nice whisky, which I'll enjoy pouring for friends.

[eelbrook]

I now see that Crabbie 'soft launched' a 28 Year old Single Cask (vintage 1988) back in Autumn 2017. I wonder whether this was also a Macallan?

[eelbrook]

Master of Malt has this in their Flash Sale at £395 (£100 off RSP). If it is indeed a Macallan 30yo, that is a total steal compared with official bottlings.