
August 11, 2026

WF's Little Duos: today two Macallans that could hardly be more different

Macallan is one of those brands, sorry, one of those distilleries that we simply cannot leave fallow for too long on WF. So here are two…

Macallan ‘Organic Cherrywood Lapsang Tea’ (44.9%, OB, The Harmony Collection, 2025)

All this is merely ‘inspiration’, you understand, there is of course neither cherrywood nor even lapsang souchong involved, that would probably be illegal. So, we’re now awaiting a beluga caviar, Piedmont white truffle or Brittany blue lobster version, since just about anything is probably allowed, as long as it remains inspiration. 0f course we’re joking, there have been some lovely versions among these very humble NAS from the Harmony Collection. Colour: amber. Nose: amontillado-style sherry, rather pronounced, indeed with wild cherry and rosehip, although I cannot find any lapsang souchong whatsoever… but it is a very charming nose. Mouth: very much driven by the wood, smoky indeed, burnt in any case, with coffee dregs, a feeling of old samovar, cinnamon, and above all dark chocolate. And dark chocolate filled with… kirsch. Finish: quite long, more peppery, with touches of cumin and juniper. Comments: I must admit I’m rather impressed by the way they’ve managed to flavour this young Macallan without ever lapsing into vulgarity or inelegance. In theory, I ought to hate this, in reality I rather like it.
SGP:461 - 85 points.

Macallan 34 yo 1991 (51.8%, DH Global Spirits, William, sherry hogshead matured, cask #8192)

Macallan 34 yo 1991 (51.8%, DH Global Spirits, William, sherry hogshead matured, cask #8192, 2026)

We have a good feeling about this one, not because it’s a decanter, but because we’ve already tasted some of the house’s offerings and they had been excellent. Colour: amber with reddish hues. Nose: this is full-on currants, clafoutis, fig jam, and simply fruitcake soaked in kirsch. But who could possibly be against that? With water: earth, mushrooms, old red Burgundy, leather, in short, all those wonderful things. Mouth (neat): even better on the palate, closer to old-skool Macallan, with teas and herbal infusions, tobacco, small berries, prunes, a little umami and quite a lot of crushed black pepper. And, naturally, dark chocolate. With water: properly ‘old Macallan’, perhaps just a little more marked by raisins and dried figs. An amusing tiny saline touch in the background. Finish: not extremely long but very elegant, with top-quality sherry singing all the way through, until the walnuts and black pepper return, together with their magnificent bitterness. Comments: all that’s missing now is a Chesterfield, Duke Ellington and some excellent company. Who would, of course, be equally fond of Duke Ellington and fine old Macallan.
SGP:651 - 91 points.

Check the index of all Macallan we've tasted