The Macallan Edition No. 1 is the start of a new series from the distillery, with a new expression scheduled to be released annually.  Each edition will be “co-created with different partners” while “showcasing The Macallan’s mastery of wood.”

Edition 1 features a blend of single malts matured in 8 different styles and sizes of European and American oak casks.  As is the new norm for Macallan releases, this new series does not feature age statements.  This first expression in the series is bottled at an above average 48% abv and retails for $99.

Those different casks lend to a very rich, sherried nose one attributes to a Macallan whisky.  Dried fruits, spice, and vanilla dominate alongside sweet, honeyed malt.  Some of that malt is young, which provides a vibrancy in the nose.  Taste-wise, there’s a large toffee note right off the bat.  Sherried dried fruit follows and combined, everything comes across as a sort of Christmas fruit cake. Some spice (clove, nutmeg) makes itself known in the mid-palate.  With all this and the 48% abv, you’d think this was a “heavy” whisky.  On the contrary, like on the nose, these heavier notes are balanced with citrus and young malt.  The long, warm finish is spicy and sweet, with the latter provided honey and sherried fruit.

At $100 a bottle, Macallan is priced right for what’s in the bottle.  Is this worth $35 more than the 12? I think so.  It’s got more character for me than their standard 12-year-old expression, but only a bit.  I like what Macallan is doing with their blending of different casks.  It’s richer and more sherried than the 12.  Good stuff.