Macallan : Classic Cut 2023

Tasting notes and advice for Macallan Classic Cut 2023

Tasting

Appearance

A golden color like golden barley, bright and radiant, hinting at the aromatic richness of this exceptional single malt.

Nose

The nose reveals an elegant bouquet of pears and elderflower, accompanied by subtle notes of almonds and a rich vanilla pod. Hints of honey, orange peel, and toasted almonds further enhance this refined aromatic palette.

Palate

The palate offers an intense yet balanced symphony of flavors. Creamy, sweet vanilla meets juicy pears and lemon zest, all resting on a bed of delicate oak. Adding a splash of water unveils extraordinary almond biscotti flavors, transforming the tasting experience. The finish is medium in length, marked by delicate notes of oak and almond biscotti.

Pairings and tasting occasions

This whisky is ideally enjoyed neat at 50.3% to fully appreciate the pear notes, or with a few drops of water to bring out the almond biscotti aromas. This dual tasting experience is what makes Classic Cut so distinctive.

Mixology

This exceptional single malt, bottled at cask strength and in limited edition, is best enjoyed without embellishment to fully appreciate its complexity and finesse.

A Speyside single malt with controlled intensity

The Macallan: Scottish whisky excellence since 1824

Founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid in Craigellachie, in Speyside, Scotland, Macallan has established itself as one of Scotland’s most prestigious distilleries. Owned by The Edrington Group since 1999, it stands out for its exclusive maturation in sherry casks, notably Oloroso, and its use of Golden Promise barley. With production capacity increased to 15 million liters of pure alcohol per year, Macallan has become Scotland’s largest malt distillery. Its ultra-premium positioning—illustrated by the world record for a bottle sold for 2.188 million pounds sterling in 2023—confirms its status as an unquestioned benchmark in luxury whisky.

Classic Cut 2023: the seventh edition of a sought-after annual collection

Classic Cut 2023 is the seventh limited annual release in this iconic collection, crafted by whisky maker Diane Stuart. This cuvée stands out for its cask strength bottling at 50.3%, delivering preserved intensity and authenticity. Maturation takes place in a carefully selected combination of ex-bourbon American oak casks and European oak casks seasoned with Oloroso sherry, giving the whisky its uniquely complex aromatic profile.

An outstanding limited edition

Limited to around 10,000 bottles worldwide, this 2023 edition is a highly sought-after collector’s item among lovers of Scotch whisky. Each bottle is filled and sealed by hand, adding to the product’s exclusivity and authenticity. What sets Classic Cut apart is its dual tasting experience: at 50.3%, pear notes dominate, while at 40% (after adding water), almond biscotti flavors fully emerge—offering two distinct taste profiles in a single bottle.