Macallan : Speymalt 27 Year Old 2nd Fill Sherry Hogshead Foundations Gordon & MacPhail 1997

Characteristics and tasting advice for Speymalt 27 Year Old 2nd Fill Sherry Hogshead Foundations Gordon & MacPhail 1997 Macallan

Tasting

Appearance
Deep gold with amber glints, a testament to its long years of maturation in a sherry cask.

Nose
Refined and racy, it unveils a fruity, malty bouquet enriched with spicy, vanilla and honeyed notes. Oxidative aromas reminiscent of vin jaune mingle with exotic fruits (banana, pineapple). Floral touches evoking buttercup and snowdrop complete this complex nose, wrapped in delicate beeswax.

Palate
Dynamic and stately, it reveals flavors of greengage, mirabelle and yellow melon. The slightly sparkling texture comes with lactic notes (coconut), licorice and minty nuances, with a distinctive hint of Tiger Balm. The long, suave finish unfolds toffee flavors and fermentative tones recalling the mash, while the retro-olfaction offers notes of wax and candied ginger.

Food pairings and tasting moments

This exceptional single malt deserves to be savored neat, in a tulip glass, at room temperature (64–68°F/18–20°C). A splash of water (a few drops) can reveal new aromatic dimensions without compromising its structure. Ideal for contemplative moments or special occasions, it will be most appreciated at the end of the evening.

Other characteristics

Unpeated, this whisky displays beautiful natural aromatic complexity without peat influence. Bottled at its natural strength of 59.7%, non-chill filtered, it retains all its richness. The 91/100 score awarded by WhiskyFun confirms its excellence and outstanding quality.

An exceptional Speyside single malt, the fruit of 27 years’ maturation in a sherry cask

Macallan, the iconic Speyside distillery

Founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, Macallan is an iconic Scotch whisky distillery located in Speyside, on the banks of the River Spey. A pioneer in the world of single malt, it has distinguished itself through meticulous use of sherry casks, which shape 80% of its signature aromatic profile. Since its acquisition by the Edrington Group in 1999, Macallan has seen remarkable development, culminating in the inauguration of a cutting-edge distillery in 2018, designed by architect Norman Foster. In 2024, as it celebrates its bicentenary, Macallan continues to strengthen its position as a benchmark in the luxury spirits segment, with limited editions and prestigious collaborations.

Speymalt, the rare expression of a Macallan by Gordon & MacPhail

This 27 Year Old Speymalt exemplifies the excellence of Gordon & MacPhail’s know-how, the legendary independent bottler founded in 1895 and renowned for its exceptional mastery of Scotch whisky maturation. Distilled in 1997 at the Macallan distillery, this single malt benefited from 27 years of maturation in a second-fill sherry hogshead, carefully selected and monitored by Gordon & MacPhail’s experts.

Part of the prestigious “Foundations” collection, this Scotch whisky perfectly illustrates the house philosophy: showcasing the distillate’s intrinsic character while adding extra complexity through optimal aging. The choice of a second-fill cask achieves a perfect balance between wood influence and the expression of the Macallan distillate.

Bottled in 2024 at its natural strength of 59.7%, without chill filtration or coloring, this Speymalt offers an authentic, unadulterated experience. With only 140 bottles available worldwide, this limited edition represents a rare opportunity to discover a venerable-age Macallan, interpreted by one of Scotland’s most respected independent bottlers.