The Macallan Edition No. 2 Scotch Review

By Emma Briones

Rating: A-

The Macallan Edition No. 2
(Credit: Emma Briones)

In October 2016, The Macallan presented Spain with their latest collaboration in one of the best restaurants in the world: El Celler de Can Roca. Continuing with their passion for the influence of wood in whisky making, The Macallan asked the three brothers & chefs to choose some casks with Bob Dalgarno, Master Whisky Maker at The Macallan, for a new expression.

This new single malt, The Macallan Edition No.2, is the sequel following The Macallan Edition No. 1. With both expressions, The Macallan set out to educate consumers by showing them wood relevance in whisky-making.

The Macallan Edition No.2 is the combination of seven casks that came from Spanish cellars. Dalgarno selected a butt cask from Tevasa, made of European; Joan Roca selected a 1st fill European Oak butt and a 2nd fill American Oak hogshead, both from Diego Martín cellar;  Josep Roca chose two 1st fill European Oak casks from José Miguel Martín, a puncheon and a hogshead. Finally, Jordi Roca selected a 1st fill American Oak butt and a 2nd fill American Oak puncheon, both from Vasyma.

The Scotch
The Macallan Edition No. 2, bottled at 48.2% abv, is a dark scotch. Its darkened honey coloring shows, in particular, the influence of the Spanish casks.

On the nose, I found wood and sweet notes, like vanilla and forest fruits. There were also some gentle notes of coffee, honey and citrus, that come stronger when adding some water.

With a medium oily body, on the palate, there was strong wood and vanilla. Surprisingly, there are not the expected heavy sherry notes, a classic of The Macallan. This expression highlights its sweet notes, like honey and caramel. It’s a little bit spicy, with some gentle hints of pears and grass.

The finish is really long, leaving behind the wood notes and focusing on the fruitier side of the dram. There are also little hints of cinnamon.

It’s a great and surprising dram from The Macallan. Even though there’s some wood, when opened with water you get a nice fruity and sweet dram with a wonderful finish.

The Price
The Macallan Edition No. 2  is available worldwide in limited quantities. In the UK it’s retailed around £75, with higher prices in the rest of Europe (€80 to €90). In the U. S., it is retailing from $100 to $120.