The Macallan 1876 Replica Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Some minor damage to the box. One only to sell.

By 1876 the Victorian middle-classes had developed an etiquette for every occasion. A rules of etiquette handbook from the period declared "A gentleman NEVER swaggers along the street, shouting or laughing with his companions, his hat on one side, a cigar between his fingers and swinging his cane. A lady must NEVER let a male talk to her in a slangy manner, touch her on the shoulder or call her by her first name in front of strangers." It would be true to say that the rules governing social intercourse had become an obsession. The rise of etiquette is related to the growth of the middle class in mid-Victorian Britain, and it seems that the ever-increasing complexity of the rules with which that society beset itself was really no more than an attempt by those who had reached the higher rungs of the social ladder to make it difficult for others to follow.

It is unlikely that James Stuart, the owner of The Macallan Distillery between 1868 and 1892 was much bothered with such matters. He was a self-made man - the son of a shoemaker - and had been a corn-merchant and miller before he became a distiller. He laid the foundations that would transform The Macallan from "an old fashioned establishment" into a "highly respected enterprise".

In 1998 The Macallan acquired some very rare bottles from John McWilliam’s private collection and presented Bob Dalgarno, Whisky Maker, with the formidable challenge of replicating it. He describes the process in the following:"I drew a tiny sample from the bottle with a hypodermic syringe inserted through the long driven cork. It was surprisingly fresh and vibrant, clearly The Macallan, but full of youthful vitality. Of course, we do not know the age at which it had been bottled, but judging from its golden colour and relative robustness in character, we suspect the whisky was matured in oak sherry casks from Spain. Together with my team of expert nosers, I began to comb through our warehouses of maturing casks searching for whisky which matched the profile." After successful trialling, another addition to the Macallan 'replica' series was born. The 1876 Replica is contained in a bespoke presentation outer box, created to reflect the values of the Victorian era and, of course, to protect the bottle and its contents. Limited production.

Notes from Macallan... The nose is rich in summer fruits, both fresh/citric and dried, with traces of spice. Light vanilla fudge, sweet oak and wood spice. The palate displays citric notes, spice and peat, which fades rapidly with the addition of water. 40.6% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Nose: Smokier than I remember. Quick, soft, with a hit of smoke - then juicy wood.Palate: Citrus. Toffee. Nutty. Toasty. Smooky.Finish: Mesquite.Comment: A deft re-creation. This version is notable estery.
- - Michael Jackson, whiskymag.com

Brilliant golden amber color. Lush seamless, wildflower honey, malty bread, and dried fruit aromas. A smooth entry leads to a smooth medium-to full-bodied palate of layers of roasted nuts, orchard fruits, honey, mocha, bacon fat, and round brown spices. Finishes with a long evolving fade of peppery, woody spice and honey. Beautifully done.
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
93 points (Exceptional) - tastings.com