The Macallan – Rare Cask Black (70cl, 48%)

Rare Cask Black is a Macallan single malt in a 70cl bottle, bottled at 48% ABV. It was created from fewer than 100 casks maturing at the distillery, which stayed in the dark warehouses until the Master Whisky Maker judged them ready. It is smoky, which is unusual for Macallan, and it is non-chill-filtered. The colour is autumnal leaves. The nose combines dried fruits, nutmeg, ginger and polished oak with dates, figs and raisins, heavy but sweet, over a thread of peat smoke. The palate starts with a dry smokiness that gives way to softer oak, and the finish is long and fruity with wood smoke.