Boozist

Macallan 72 Years Old is going to be too expensive for you

Macallan 72 Years

Macallan 72 YearsIt seems like there is a new “most expensive whisky” every month. And while it’s fun to read about, it’s also a great reminder of just how much money I don’t have. The latest is Macallan 72 Years Old in Lalique, which was distilled in the 1940s when my grandpa was busy drinking readily available whisky instead thinking about what it would be like seven decades later. But here we are. The price has yet to be announced, but given the age, the Lalique crystal decanter, and the mere 600 bottles available, you can expect this to roll in a nearly $50,000. [Edit: Price has been set at $60,000] I’m sure you’ll then hear about it going for $500k at auction in another decade. And since neither you nor I will obviously never even smell Macallan 72 Years Old let alone taste it, tasting notes are pretty pointless. But just in case you win the lottery:

NOSE: A delicate peat starts, leading to a soft, aged oak smoke. A body of refreshing citrus lemons and green apples, with a background of vanilla pods and raisins, with the smallest hint of ginger.

PALATE: Delicate peat smoke combines with a soft vanilla, and a surprising sweet oak smoke. A gentle wood spice combines with a delicate peat smoke, which gradually fades to leave a viscous mouth coating of citrus fruits and subtle green apples.

FINISH: Medium and fruity, with a sweet oaky mouth feel.

$$$$, Macallan

Macallan 72 Years

Macallan 72 Years

Macallan 72 Years

Excerpts from Macallan 72 Years Old in Lalique press release.

The Macallan 72 Years Old in Lalique is a celebration of the collaboration of masters from across the fields of whisky, crystal, architecture, construction and craftsmanship and marks a new beginning in The Macallan story. This exceptionally rare whisky is presented in a unique and bespoke crystal decanter and presentation case that are defined by the outstanding architectural complexity of our new brand home. For nearly two centuries the mastery of exceptional whisky making has been at the heart of The Macallan Estate and the new Distillery and Visitor Experience, designed by internationally acclaimed architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, embodies the care, passion and superior craftsmanship that goes into every drop of The Macallan.

Lalique has captured the character of the new Distillery in crystal, with the horizon of the decanter rising and falling in reflection of the roofline and incorporating the clean lines and natural curves. Each decanter is encased in a bespoke presentation case inspired by the interior of the Distillery, with a curved wooden roof over the decanter, and a footprint taken directly from the circular layout of the three new still houses. Designed by Burgess Studio, the case is handcrafted from the finest materials and sustainably sourced timbers, by The Royal Warrant holding cabinet makers, NEJ Stevenson. Distilled in the 1940s, this peerless spirit began its journey to maturation during the optimistic post Second World War period – and this atmosphere of reinvention inspired the new Distillery and the whisky and design of The Genesis Decanter. Limited to 600 individually numbered decanters worldwide, this remarkable release will be made be available from August 2018, at select locations globally including the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa; and will also be available in exclusive airport retail stores and from The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience itself.

“For its seventy-two years of maturation, the deceptively light colour hints that this is not an ordinary single malt. Reminiscent of a time gone by, it carries an exquisite balance of strong, sweet oak with the peaty spirit shaping its refined character. The whisky delivers surprise after surprise as aromas of fruit follow distinctive hints of peat, all the way through to the back of the mouth where it is finished off with a lingering hint of rich fruit and oak. Although delicate throughout all aspects, it provides an intense experience which acknowledges the distinguished history of The Macallan.” Nick Savage, The Macallan Master Distiller