The Macallan Colour Collection 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Launched in 2023, this is Macallan's celebration of the art of maturation, where the whisky's rich amber hue hints at the intricate dance between the spirit and the oak. Intended solely as a travel retail exclusive. 43% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Ex-seasoned sherry oak, not sure if it was full-maturation or some 'enhancement', not sure that even matters (good mood mode activated here). Colour: dark gold. Nose: once again, it is rather 'old-school Macallan' while we're no longer too worried that the palate might be too light and too unbalanced by the wood since this baby has been bottled at 43% ABV. The difference is enormous between 40 and 43, we all know that. We find the usual dried and fresh figs, the apricots, some dried pears (slices), some high-end apple compote, various raisins, plum pudding, treacle toffee, kumquats and bergamots, some Demerara sugar, caramel and fudge… Nutshell: all is well. Mouth: there's much more happening in this one, the oak doesn't quite get in the way and the fruits in all their forms have plenty of room to express themselves. Kumquats, raisins, tangerines, figs, jujubes, apples, then honey, maple syrup and chocolate,  the latter becoming then a little bitter and drying, which comes from the oak I would suppose. No big deal, it's an excellent one. Also a little meatiness ala M**** (another 'M', a.k.a. the beast of Dufftown). Finish: still a little short and dry, but these peppered Seville oranges and these cloves do really work. Hints of honeysuckle. Comments: around 500-600€, apparently. No comments, except that to be honest, we would have preferred it to be a bit stronger, but it's still very good. 87 points - whiskyfun.com

...The nose opens with noble lacquered wood, lots of milk chocolate, carefully complemented by red berries and sour fruits. The signature sulfur content of The Macallan alcohols is felt. A little later, crusts of gray bread appear and the fruit palette is somewhat transformed: pineapples, dried bananas, peaches and orange peels become audible. The taste is similar to the nose in terms of wood, chocolate and sulfur, but there are more sherry tones here in the form of almonds, dried fruits, raisins, red grapes. Also present are floral honey and blood oranges. The finish is long, woody and chocolatey, with nuts and dried fruits. - whiskybase.com