Macallan Edition No.4

If there is any brand of whisky out there that is most associated with class, refinement and "dignitas", it'd probably be the Edrington group's Macallan brand. Because of the connotations of luxury that the brand has, its whisky line-up is often priced substantially higher than competing brands. Usually it's often assumed by the average consumer that a higher prices equals a higher quality product, therefore it should taste better than everything else. In Macallan's case though, many people would argue that it's largely down to some absolutely fantastic marketing campaigns that they run, rather than the actual quality of the product they produce. Funnily enough, in a weird twist of fate, this luxurious perception of Macallan has in turn led to the brand being looked down upon by hipsters, who see the brand as unoriginal and basking in past greatness.

That's where this whisky comes in. The Macallan Edition No.4 is the 4th release in Macallan's limited run 'Edition' series. This series is their answer to their critics. All current releases in this series from 1-5 are no age statement single malt whiskies made from combinations of different casks blended together to give each yearly release a unique flavour and character. This allows them to be far more experimental and keep up with the innovations being made in the industry by the smaller and younger distilleries such as Arran, Kilchoman, Glenglassaugh et al.

The Edition No.4 was released in 2018 and has a bright, deep green packaging. It can still be found in stores and most bars that stock Macallan should have it, but from mid 2019 it was replaced by the Edition No.5, which in turn will probably be replaced by a 6th edition in 2020. This yearly replacement will make the No. 4 much more difficult to obtain in the future, so I thought that I should take a chance and review it while I can still afford to!

Vitals:

ABV: 48.4%

Colour: Amber-copper

Chill-filtered: No

Nose: Honey and maple syrup blast the senses, followed by sweet cinnamon coated red apples and a touch of ginger and raisins, giving it a mild, almost fruitcake like essence, yet it's not overly heavy or rich. It's more floral and nuanced with the honey notes dominating throughout. Sherry cask influence is there, but it's a lot more balanced than in most whiskies. 22/25

Palate: Initially quite fruity with dried apricots, prunes and rich cherries at the forefront, but spicy cloves, black pepper, wood and cinnamon quickly crowd out the pallet before mellowing into a grassy, earthy note with mild hints of vanilla in the background. 16/25

Finish: As it continues on to its finish, apricots, cherries, raisins and sultanas give a rich and fruity sherry bomb of a long finale, balancing out that burst of woody spice on the palate. 24/25

Value*: Not cheap, even in its native land of Scotland. Far more expensive than many of the age statement Macallan's in Korea simply due to its limited release status. Unless you are a collector who HAS to have every Macallan release, don't bother with it. 8/25

Conclusion:

Basic Rating(N+P+F): 82.7%

Price Adjusted Rating(N+P+F+V)*: 70%

Daily Drinker: No, primarily because it's a limited release.

Possible pairing: Chocolate, milk or dark. Possibly some cream cheese on crackers.

Where to find in Korea: Namdaemun. Jura Shop.

TLDR Version:

N: Honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, apples, and somewhat floral.

P: Dried stone fruits, wood spice, black pepper, cinnamon and earthy notes.

F: long with rich dried stone fruits, raisins and sultanas. A sherry bomb.

V: Very expensive. Don't buy unless a collector. But try at a bar.

Buy / Mooch / Pass: Pass.

Review by Glasgowhisky

2020/01/28

Photos taken at "The Wee Dram" in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 29th November 2019.