The Macallan Classic Cut 2023 Edition & Kilchoman Sanaig 2024 Edition Cask Strength Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky Bundle Buy (2x700ml)

Save $100 plus get free delivery to most of Australia when you purchase Macallan Classic Cut 2023 and Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength together!

Notes on Macallan Classic Cut: Macallan's cask strength 2023 edition was matured in ex-Bourbon American oak and sherry seasoned European oak casks. The Master Distiller comments, at full strength the prominent character of the spirit is pear. When ‘one cut’ of water is added, the strength is reduced to around 40%, and almond biscotti steps forward as the keynote. 50.3% Alc./Vol.

Notes on Kilchoman Sanaig Cask Strength... Sanaig and Machir Bay are Kilchoman’s two core products, but only the latter has had the honour of an occasional cask strength release. Prospective samples of Sanaig were floated during a 2021 Feis Isle virtual tasting. No release date was ever suggested and the label had to wait until November 2024 to finally get its own natural-strength iteration. Looking at the colour, you might think they've mistakenly filled the bottle with Loch Gorm. That's down to a high proportion of x-Oloroso sherry casks (the remaining 30% are x-Bourbon). Essentially, this release uses the same recipe as the regular Sanaig, however, we can assume casks have been cherry-picked, then bottled uncut as opposed to the regular release strength of 46% ABV. Impressive from the get go, through that’s fairly standard praise for Kilchoman, the bouquet kicks off with menthol rub, iodine, damp earth and wood smoke with bitter peel and dark chocolate in tow. Creamy on entry, then catapults into a full-throttle mid palate attack, keynotes being cocoa, Oloroso sherry and sweet peat. Bracing spices and alcohol give this a drying, bittersweet finale, trailing off with pepper, elastoplast and nutty chocolate. Feels like there's more sherry influence than your standard Sanaig. Either way, it's an absolute blast for Islay fans. No outturn is stated, but the Australian allocations are likely in the hundreds rather than the thousands. 57.8% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 95 points

Other reviews...  From this Islay-based distillery comes an annual expression matured in both sherry and bourbon casks. Smoke on the nose, Grape-Nuts, tasty peat smoke, and barbecue. The palate has heat but is flavorful and not at all spiky, showing pleasant flavors of raspberry compote and an earthy note of pipe tobacco. The finish is long, with red berries, smoke, and peat embers. Smoky, with lively fruit notes that rise above the peat. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com