Macallan releases ‘one off’ 52YO malt

The Macallan has released a 52 year old single cask malt whisky which it has said will be a “one time bottling” with just 250 bottles available – for £38,500 each.

Sourced from just one barrel at the distillery, the latest age statement whisky will “never be repeated” and is being released worldwide this month with a hefty price tag.

One wonders how quickly some bottles might hit the secondary market after being purchased and what prices they will achieve.

Earlier this year one of the 300 limited edition bottles of Macallan ‘Genesis’ sold for £495 at the distillery was flipped for £4,600.

Bottles of 1926 60 year old Macallan from the same series have broken the world record a total of four times this year. Twice in the same Bonhams sale in Hong Kong, then once again at a Bonhams sale in Edinburgh and then last month at a London sale by Christie’s which was when the bottle was sold for over £1 million – itself a new benchmark for any bottle of wine or spirit.

Admittedly, there’s more scope for a whisky with a lower starting price to appreciate at a startling rate but with the current market for Scotch whisky who knows what’s possible?

The spirit itself was laid down 52 years ago in a European oak that had been seasoned with Sherry and has a 48% ABV.

The Macallan’s tasting note described it as having a “ruby mahogany” colour and, “Rich cherry and dark chocolate on the nose before wisps of floral orange blossom combine with delicate layers of peat smoke. The palate leads with flavours of rich fruit and dark chocolate fondant soon making way for hints of peat smoke that combine with cinnamon and ginger from the wood spices.”

Whisky maker for The Macallan Sarah Burgess said: “After being left to mature for 52 long years in one exceptional, European oak Sherry seasoned cask…The Macallan 52 years old is an outstanding addition to our expanding range of unique, classic-aged whiskies and is a testament to the harmony created through the mastery of wood and spirit.

“With only 250 individually numbered bottles available worldwide, this is a highly limited and expertly crafted release which will be desired the world over by whisky lovers and luxury connoisseurs.”