Macallan – 18 Year Old Gran Reserva 1979-1997 (70cl, 40%)

A Speyside single malt from Macallan, distilled in 1979 and bottled in 1997 at 18 years old and 40% ABV, in a 70cl bottle. It is the first release in the Macallan Gran Reserva series and a distillery bottling, presented in a chunky, calligraphed wooden box. The whisky came from a batch of 1979 casks and is regarded as one of the finest heavily sherried Macallans of its age. It is described as a mix of dark fruit and chocolate with simmering spice, coffee and balsamico, and a sweet, nutty, earthy complexity.