Macallan 1841

Description

Macallan 1841 – Collectible Whisky

Macallan 1841 is the third in the set of 5 of Macallan’s famous ‘Replica’ series, the 1861 edition which was bottled in 2001.  The set of 5 bottles have an interesting back story and include The Macallan Distillers Limited (as it was known at the time) buying a number of old and rare bottles during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

These old bottles were then used as the source to create the replica series where Macallan tried to replicate the nose, the taste and the packaging of some of their bottles from earlier times.  They drew a tiny sample from the bottle and together with his team of expert nosers, began to search for whisky which matches the profile.

The Macallan 1841 has been created as a replica of an original Macallan. Distilled in 1841 during the tenure of Alexander Reid, the founder of the distillery. And bottled for James Priest and James Davidson, he is a joint proprietor of The Macallan from 1847 to 1851.

The bottle, complete with the flaws common to glassware of its time, the labels, and the nose and flavour of the whisky. Especially citrus and summer fruits and peat smoke, mirror the original as closely as possible.

The original 1841 is the earliest famous bottle of The Macallan in existence. Meanwhile, one of the oldest surviving of any whisky bottle.  Otherwise, it was probably originally a wine bottle, dating from the late 18th or early 19th century. Procured locally for Priest and Davidson’s own requirements.

Although filling whisky into glass bottles began after the abolition of the glass tax in 1845, it was still relatively uncommon in the 1850s. In fact, whisky usually being sold in glass flagons or “jars” holding between 2 and 8 gallons.

Macallan released the third replica in 2003, following the 1861 and 1874 replicas.  The packaging is in good condition. In addition, it comes with its original box, original cork stopper – intended to be used once the bottle is opened. And a deck of information cards about the product and its history.

Tasting Notes

The whisky is meant to be tremendous (the late great Michael Jackson gave this a 95 point score), ensuring that this is one of the most popular of these famous bottlings.

Nose: Very fresh. Fudge with vanilla essence and pistachio nuts.

Palate: Silky. Fresh and appetising. Sweet but not cloying. And with light, fresh, delicate, notes of orange-blossom honey.

Finish: Very gentle acidity gives balance to the dryness.

The late whisky writer Michael Jackson scored 95 points to this modern bottling.