Macallan Gold: How much it changed from old 10 years old Sherry Oak?

Macallan has released a new range of non age statements to replace their Sherry and Fine Oaks whisky bottles from 10 years old to 18 years old.

A bold move? Looking for the best quality? Running out of stock? Age matters? Who knows…

This new Macallan Gold is the initial entry on the new range of bottles, and it is already about £8 more expensive that the old Macallan 10 years old Sherry Oak. But the question is: Is it better?

Let’s taste

The tasting

Well, I think that as Gold is a sherry cask aged whisky it is fair to compare it against Macallan 10 years old Sherry Oak and as I have the bottle around agains Macallan 10 years old Cask Strength.

Macallan Gold

“Very interesting single malt. More subtle than the old 10 years old Sherry Oak but nicer at the same time. This whisky shows more of the Macallan Spirit than the old sherry monster”

89

Macallan Gold was released in late 2012 as part of a series of colour-themed bottlings introduced to replace the distillery's age-statement expressions.

This batch of Macallan Gold has been produced from 9-15yo first fill and refill sherry casks and is designed to sit between the now-defunct 10yo Sherry Oak and 10yo Fine Oak bottlings.

This dram has a amber-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. honey, nuts, citrus, vanilla. Very nice aroma. Really does the work. It is slightly more subtle than 10 years old Sherry Oak.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. nuts, honey, wood, citrus, spices, tobacco. Very nice whisky. Definitively it is a nice Macallan to initiate yourself in the range.

Finish (89): longer than average. nuts, honey, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Macallan Gold with 89 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on Master of Malt for £36.14
• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £37.45
• Buy on The Drink Shop for £38.50

Macallan 10 years old Sherry Oak

“Lovely Macallan. Not for the faint-hearted... this sherry monster will turn you nuts”

90

This Macallan 10 years old is matured exclusively in oak sherry casks from Spain to deliver a deep, rich, deliciously smooth and well-rounded flavour with a slight sweetness and touch of sherry and wood.

Its deep colour is achieved wholly naturally without the addition of any colouring.

This dram has a cooper-like color.

Nose (89): more than average. honey, floral, citrus, nuts, spices.

Palate (90): powerful, oily. nuts, honey, citrus, spices, wood, cocoa.

Finish (90): longer than average. nuts, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Macallan 10 year Sherry Oak with 90 points over 100.

Buy this bottle at

Save money when you buy Single Malt Whisky online. Check for the best prices from best online shops below:

• Buy on The Whisky Exchange for £75.45
• Buy on Master of Malt for £83.74

Macallan 10 years old Sherry Oak Cask Strength

“Most mindblowing awesomeness! And to think that I bought two of this Macallan for €50 just a few years ago... best buy ever!”

92

The Macallan Sherry Oak is exclusively matured in selected sherry oak casks from Jerez, Spain instead of using different kind of casks as the Fine Oak range does.

This expression is matured for 10 years and then bottled at original cask strength without chill filtration or the addition of water. The result is a particularly rich Single Malt, best enjoyed with a splash of water to release the complex aromas and sumptuous flavours.

Even if the prices on the Internet are high this Macallan is worth every penny you pay for it.

This dram has a old oak-like color.

Nose (91): more than average. nuts, honey, citrus, wood, cinnamon. Marvelous!

Palate (92): powerful, oily. nuts, honey, wood, citrus, cocoa, tobacco. The epitome of sherry aged drams. I love this profile.

Finish (92): longer than average. nuts, honey, citrus.

So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Macallan 10 year Sherry Oak Cask Strength with 92 points over 100.

Miguel says…

Well, I was expecting something more evil but the fact is that Macallan Gold is a very nice whisky, almost in the 90s rating. In the tasting profile, Gold is a whisky between the 10 years old Sherry Oak and 10 years old Fine Oak.

So? Thumbs up. A nice whisky… by now…

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