Macallan 52 yo 1946 / 1998 Select Reserve 40%

Macallan 52 yo 1946 / 1998 Select Reserve 40%

Let me just say – because I know I will get questions on this one. This was one of the last samples I obtained from Diego, and because the old guard were refreshingly nonchalant about things like this, the sample was perfunctorily named ‘Macallan 1946 OB capsule’. Now I know there are only 2 officials bearing the vintage with a capsule which were publicly retailed, and given the strength of this whisky I am quite certain this is the Select Reserve bottled 1998.

Many old honeys and chamomile tea, orange blossom water, but also light traces of soot and clean worktables in before the day’s machining. Shrunken lump of old ginger, light putty, gentle resinous oils. Rather relaxed and knowing it need not prove anything. But oh much more alive on the palate with can you believe it – peat. 1946 saw peated malt being post war and all. Light dry smoke from burning paper, astringent and oil free. Clean ashtrays, no big tarry punch here but a light clean gauze of smoke. Rubbed chalk, charred stems, dry lemon zest and a pinch of bitter herbal powder but then the finish comes way too soon for such an interesting old Macallan. A pity, it feels like it has much more to say. 88 pts