Macallan 2003/2023 20 Year Old Speymalt - Gordon & MacPhail

Smell

This whisky doesn't mince its words from the very first nosing. What emerges from the glass is a true sherry grenade. A heavy, almost dramatic combination of wet carpet, leather and tobacco meets the autumnal freshness of damp leaves. This is joined by the sweet darkness of burnt caramel. It is a fragrance that tells stories - smoky, earthy and deeply rooted in decades of ageing.

Taste

The true magic of this whisky unfolds on the tongue. The first thing you notice is a distinctive dryness reminiscent of a fine sherry. This is accompanied by an amazingly oily texture that takes over the entire mouth. The flavours are intense and clear: fig, rich and dark, is accompanied by earthy leather and bitter cocoa. There is no room for restraint here - this whisky has character and shows it.

Finish

The finish is the icing on the cake of this complex drop. It is long, as befits a whisky aged for 20 years, and has a lovely spiciness that finishes astringent and dry. But before it disappears, a slight fruity sweetness flashes through.