Macallan 1851 Inspiration

Description

Macallan 1851 Inspiration – Collectible Whisky

Macallan 1851 inspiration is the final bottle in the set of 5 of Macallan’s famous ‘Replica’ series, the 1851 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.

As well as replicating the whisky they were determined to recreate the 1851 bottle and labels. The challenge for Stolzle Flaconnage was to reproduce the idiosyncratic irregularities of a mid-19th-century mouth-blown bottle with 21st-century technology. To reconstruct the labels, calligrapher Carol Kemp re-drew the individual letters while illustrator Brian Taylor reproduced the sketch.’

There are three versions of this 1851 Inspiration.  This version with a large and heavy presentation box.  A version with a normal cardboard box and then finally the rarest version, with a gothic typeset on the label.

This highly collectable, limited release Macallan 1851 Replica bottling was designed to recreate the spirit and overall style of Macallan as of 1850s.  This incredible whisky was bottled at 41.3% abv and comes complete with its original box.

Tasting Notes

Colour:  The colour is really deep amber and the direct sun into it shows its cut.

Nose:  On the nose, this whiskey is nicely balanced with vanilla and woody notes with some fresh citrus. Very fruity notes are supported by the elegant taste of some exotic fruit. I’d say mango and resin. From behind, I can fell some roasted chestnuts and vanilla.

Palate:  The woody character is not too strong and it is nicely composed with some fresh notes. The aftertaste is medium-long with some spiciness and oaky taste.  It’s smooth and it shouldn’t be forgotten. Not because of the story behind it, it is still the Macallan after all!

This is very much one for the collectors, which is why its not priced as an every day drinking whisky.