The Macallan Edition 5 - A Review That Settles the Debate From Previous Editions

The Macallan Edition Series celebrates inspiration. This is a review of the fifth edition, and it’s a beautiful single malt scotch. Each of the limited releases are inspired by unique collaborators. A lot is said about the stories behind these whiskies, and you can read about all of that here. Let’s focus on the whisky, because there’s already plenty to talk about! 

Each edition has been well received, but as these editions are slowly released, a debate is forming among enthusiasts. Which edition is the best? It’s often a heated argument between the second and third release. Let’s settle that debate, and agree that fifth edition is the best in the series so far. A bunch of people just gasped. I heard it. 

I don’t know if many whisky drinkers will agree with me on that point. I do tend to like American oak influences more-so, and this has all the elements I like, in combination of the unique Macallan-y note that consumers chase. So it might not be everyone’s favourite, but it is my favourite of the bunch. 

These whiskies are boxed for whisky drinkers. 

Each box contains the exact ratio of types of oak used in the final product. Yes, these are technically no-age statement whiskies. But they’re boxed with all the information you need (minus the age, because the Scotch Whisky Association doesn’t allow it). At any rate, the fifth edition is American oak forward and you can read my tasting notes below.  Shout-out to Cam of Edrigton for providing me with a sample.

The Macallan Edition No. 5 Scotch Whisky (48.5% ABV)
The Macallan Distillery 
Category: Single Malt Scotch, American Oak
Score: [Become a Patron]

Nose: Caramel, salted chocolate, fresh pencil shavings, a dollop of dried fruits (all sorts of them in variety; raisins, apricots, orange peels). Plenty of cinnamon, but it’s nicely overpowered with all the other notes above. It’s got a lot of complexity, and it keeps opening up as you nose it. 

Palate: Surprisingly gentle at first, though the sweetness found on the nose lightly carries through (it’s not abrasive). Ginger, cinnamon spice, and a beautiful Bordeaux like dry sweetness carries through wonderfully. It has all those leathery tobacco notes, and there’s a nice sweet salty chocolate note that’s subtle in the background. I love the lightness toward the finish. 

Conclusion: The first three Macallan Editions had a strong opinion one way or another (heavy start, or heavy finish), but with four and five we’re settling nicely into a style. There’s a continued debate as to whether second edition or the third is the best. Let’s settle that debate with the fifth of the series, and agree it’s the better one.