The Macallan 1861 Replica Rare Reserve (70cl, 42.7%)

A replica of an 1861 Macallan, in a 70cl bottle at 42.7% ABV. In 1998 Bob Dalgarno, Macallan's whisky maker, acquired a bottle of the 1861 whisky and set about recreating it from stocks held at the Speyside distillery. A glass blower and a calligrapher were also commissioned to recreate the original bottle and label. The whisky is amber in colour. The nose is fragrant, almost perfumed, with sandalwood, incense, roses and cigars, alongside figs, raisins, charcoal, wood smoke, bitter chocolate and dried porcini. The palate brings grape pips, chlorophyll, pickled ginger, raisins and figs, and the finish is long and very grapey.