Macau Lifestyle
  • What's On

    Categories

    • Giveaways
    • Entertainment

    Recent Stories

    Macau Lifestyle Wynn Macau Croiffle and Cruffin afternoon tea outdoors2
    Win an Exquisite Afternoon Tea Set at Café Esplanada
    Giveaways
    Macau Lifestyle Media - The St. Regis Macao - The St. Regis Bar - Jack's Club poster
    The Macallan Jack’s Club Jazz Experience at The St. Regis Bar
    Events & Promotions
    MGM Food Chinese New Year 2022
    Weekender: Welcome the Year of the Tiger, Visit Exhibitions & Much More
    Macau Weekend
  • Dining

    Categories

    • Restaurants
    • Local Eats
    • Cafes
    • Bars
    • Chef Spotlight

    Recent Stories

    Baked Pork Chop Rice rossio mgm macau copy
    Eight Must-Try Dishes at MGM MACAU You Don’t Want to Miss
    Dining
    cafe esplanada wynn macau croiffle
    The Variations Of French Croissant At Wynn Macau
    Dining
    st regis bar macao Tastemaker
    Where to Find Delicious Whiskey-Based Cocktails in Macau
    Bars
  • Lifestyle

    Categories

    • Wellness
    • Weddings
    • Family
    • People

    Recent Stories

    hac-sa-reservoir-park
    Top 10 Things to Do With Kids in Macau
    Family
    Macau Lifestyle Macallan 12 MAC_2018_DC12_NEAT_Lifestyle_Photo_RGB
    Whisky Review: The Macallan Single Malt Whisky Double Cask Range
    Lifestyle
    steve-mccurry
    The Best of Two Worlds: The Macallan Single Malt Whisky Double Cask Range
    Lifestyle
  • Culture

    Categories

    • Arts
    • Heritage & History
    • Architecture
    • Artist Spotlight
    • Local Knowledge

    Recent Stories

    hac-sa-reservoir-park
    Top 10 Things to Do With Kids in Macau
    Family
    st regis bar macao Tastemaker
    Where to Find Delicious Whiskey-Based Cocktails in Macau
    Bars
    Old Postcard circa 1900 from Macau Antique Postcards by Joao Loureiro
    Bela Vista Hotel: From Lavish Hotel to Wartime Refuge
    Culture
  • Style

    Categories

    • Fashion
    • Jewelry & Watches
    • Beauty
    • Home

    Recent Stories

    Wayuu Bag Macau
    Businesses in Macau: Taking Ideas to the Next Level
    Culture
    Longines Master Collection Now Shines in Macau
    Longines Master Moonphase Now Shines in Macau
    Jewelry & Watches
    Clara Brito on a Fashion Shoot
    Clara Brito: Taking Action Through Fashion
    Fashion
  • Travel

    Categories

    • Macau
    • China
    • Asia
    • Oceania
    • Europe

    Recent Stories

    hac-sa-reservoir-park
    Top 10 Things to Do With Kids in Macau
    Family
    Macau city
    A Stopover Guide: 24 Hours in Macau
    Travel
    Kenji Rukkit Gus graffiti street art outloud festival praca ponte e horta art one day macau
    One Day in Macau: Art Itinerary
    Arts
  • Hong Kong

    Categories

    • What's On
    • Dining
    • Things to Do
    • Hotels

    Recent Stories

    Grand Hyatt HK_French GourMay Staycation (3)
    French GourMay at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Offers a Bespoke Culinary Trip to France
    Dining
    The Upper House Salisterra Main Dining Room
    Salisterra Showcases Exquisite Mediterranean Cuisine at The Upper House Hong Kong
    Dining
    Artist Wu Yi – Tang Contemporary gallery- Macau Lifestyle WY1
    Wu Yi: A Painter’s Painter
    Artist Spotlight
  • City Guide
  • 繁中
Lifestyle
by Ksenia Kuzmina

Whisky Review: The Macallan Single Malt Whisky Double Cask Range

Macau Lifestyle Macallan 12 MAC_2018_DC12_NEAT_Lifestyle_Photo_RGB

First introduced in 2016, The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old whisky has made it to the top of whisky lists and shelves of Scotch aficionados. Thus, it is only logical that the renowned Scottish brand has decided to extend its range and present more bottles–The Macallan Double Cask 15, 18 years old, and the luxurious 30 years old. How did The Macallan combine two worlds in one bottle and what kind of flavour should whisky fans expect from these releases? We looked into the bottles and the details of their production to review whether The Macallan Single Malt Whisky Double Cask range would pique your attention. 

OAK CASKS AND WHISKIES

You don’t need to be an expert to know that a great number of factors contribute to the quality of the final product. When it comes to whisky production, the oak cask is what impacts the liquor’s character and colour the most. If it wasn’t for the almighty oak, whisky would remain bland and clear. Bringing that toasty flavour and caramel colour, oak has been the wood of choice since the Roman Empire. Of course, it’s not enough that an oak grows into a healthy and mature tree to become a cask at The Macallan estate. It takes a couple of years of resting, air drying, charring, and seasoning before coopers craft the perfect oak casks. 

Originally, The Macallan used mainly European oak casks for maturation and they still do for some of their whisky ranges. European oak, aka Quercus robur, is a less popular choice in the whisky universe compared to its American relative. It is a more porous, slower-growing, and higher-maintenance tree. Nevertheless, this wood gives liquor a wider and more complex range of aromas, the inimitable spiciness, and dried fruit notes, The Macallan’s signature profile. On the other hand, there is American oak, or Quercus alba, a faster-growing and more dense tree that results in sweet, vanilla, and coconut notes. To marry those two flavour profiles, The Macallan developed the Double Cask range. 

Also read: The Best of Two Worlds: The Macallan Single Malt Whisky Double Cask Range

macallan-oak-casks (5)

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT  

How does it work exactly? How do cask-wood origin and type make such a significant difference in the taste and aroma? Let’s talk science a little. 

The chemical structure of the wood varies and so does the interaction of wood, distillate, and air. When the new-make spirit is stored in casks, it extracts the wood contents that contribute colour and flavour–these are tannins and lactones. Tannins contribute dry notes, leather and walnut flavors, and a dark color resembling sherry. Their excess can overpower whisky and leave an unpleasant aftertaste. Hence, it’s crucial to balance the tannin level in oak during wood preparation and cask seasoning. European oaks have a higher tannin concentration, therefore whisky matured in European sherry casks features a robust aroma and stronger taste. Lactones are another essential substance in the whisky flavour. 

Another process that is directly reflected in the taste is charring the inner surface of the cask. The carbonized layer acts similarly to a charcoal absorbent soaking in some components of liquor and activating chemical reactions between the liquor and wood. Additionally, this process gives the whisky its smoky notes. 

While the whisky is maturing, pores in the wood “breathe in” atmospheric oxygen resulting in the oxidation of alcohol. Not going too far into the chemical process, it is important to mention that oxidation is responsible for the subtle fruity notes in whisky. Since European and American oaks’ density is not the same, the oxidation occurs differently affecting the whisky’s character. 

Macau Lifestyle Macallan Lifestyle Polly Logan5

What’s in the glass

So after months of meticulously curated multi-step production, Double Cask whisky is bottled, labelled, and ready to be consumed. While they have some similar notes, three bottles from the Double Cask range have their own distinctive flavour profiles. The first one of the series to review, caramel-coloured The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old is a very satisfying single malt with dried figs, walnut, orange peel aroma, and a mix of honey, citrus, and ginger flavours.

After three more years of maturing in oak sherry casks, The Macallan Double Cask 15 Years Old becomes more layered and offers a dried fruit palate with sweet raisin and sultana, chocolate, warming spice, and a bit of nutmeg, toffee, and ginger. Its older 18-year-old brother has a stunning rich amber honey shade and features notes of dried fruits, ginger, and toffee. The warm oak spice finish, recognizable in The Macallan’s whisky, is balanced by citrus flavours of sweet orange and vanilla from the American oak.

The Macallan Double Cask Whisky DC_Range_Static_Without_Logo

Premium gift

Usually, the rule of thumb is that the older the whisky, the more complex its flavour and the smoother it is. Moreover, the liquor loses a substantial part of its volume while it matures, the phenomenon known as “Angel’s Share”. The longer the whisky ages, the larger the “Angel’s Share”. Thus, older whiskies are rarer and more expensive. So if you are looking for a luxurious gift for a fellow whisky aficionado or wish to extend your home bar selection with a premium collectible, take a look at The Macallan Double Cask 30 Years Old. This incredible liquor offers a multi-layered palate of cinnamon, ginger, Madagascan vanilla, dried fruits, and oak with sweet oak, soft spice, and a toffee finish.

All in all, The Macallan Double Cask range demonstrates the importance of stepping beyond classic methods and traditions. Experimenting with techniques and combining the best of two worlds often results in innovative and extraordinary products. And that’s exactly what happened with The Macallan Double Cask single malts.

MAC-2021-30YO-Double-Cask-Mood-Shot.tif-9-JPEG-LE5000px-@300dpi

Also read: Match Made in Heaven: Pairing Whisky and Chocolate With The Macallan Harmony Collection Rich Cacao

Photo credit: The Macallan 

Tags

  • Scotch. single malt
  • The Macallan
  • The Macallan Double Cask Range
  • The Macallan Single Malt Whisky Double Cask Range
  • The Macallan whisky

Related Posts

start line photo
Lifestyle

Top Running Routes in Macau

Moo Creamery Founders Portrait
Dining

Moo Creamery: Freshly-Made Ice Creams Delivering Original Flavors in Macau

Judy Chan, President of Grace Vineyard
Dining

Judy Chan, President and CEO of Grace Vineyard: From Goldman Sachs to an Awarded Chinese Winery

Berries Power mandarin oriental macau lobby lounge
Cafes

Start Your Day Right: Best Places for Healthy Breakfasts in Macau

Trending Posts

Dining, Local Knowledge

Best Places to Get Mooncakes in Macau

Longines Master Collection Now Shines in Macau
Jewelry & Watches, Style

Longines Master Moonphase Now Shines in Macau

Kris Kaminsky, General Manager of Four Seasons
People

Macau Special: Kris Kaminsky of Four Seasons

Dining, Restaurants

Best Private Dining Rooms in Macau

  • Editor's Picks

    ladies night macau Bars

    Where My Ladies At: The Best Ladies’ Night Offers in Macau

    From free-flow champagne to free Prosecco bottles, check our list of the best ladies’ night offers in Macau.

    Salvador Dali Alice in Wonderland Macau Lifestyle hidden artwork Macau Arts

    Art Masterpieces in Macau You Did Not Know Existed

    Some pieces of art are in the most prominent spots, but there are some artwork that remain hidden in Macau. Here’s where you can find them!

    Cuppa Coffee Macau Dining

    Good Morning Macau: Best Cafes for Breakfast

    As breakfast is the most important meal of the day, here’re our favorite cafes in Macau to head to for a hearty breakfast!

    Coloane hiking trail Culture

    Guide to Coloane’s Hiking Trails

    Coloane is home to most of the hiking trails in town. We walked them all and came up with the most comprehensive Coloane hiking trails guide.

    Wayuu Bag Macau Culture

    Businesses in Macau: Taking Ideas to the Next Level

    Macau is a small city, but it sure has a lot of new businesses popping up. We rounded up a list of cool businesses to check out and support!

    start line photo Lifestyle

    Top Running Routes in Macau

    Make the effort to get up 30 minutes earlier from tomorrow onwards and check out any of these stunning running routes in Macau.

    The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge Gin Collection Bars

    Best Places for Happy Hour in Macau

    After a long day at work, you need a relaxing place to unwind. We have the best places in Macau for happy hour deals on drinks and snacks!

    Flora Garden playground Family

    The Best Playgrounds for Kids in Macau

    Macau is full of parks and leisure areas that feature some amazing play areas. Here’s a list of the best playgrounds in Macau for the tykes!

    Zics Macau Brand Source Facebook page Fashion

    Macau Fashion Brands: Celebrate Local Design

    Discover some Macau fashion brands that are making waves due to the fabulous designers behind each of their fresh and genius creations.

    Maria do Leste Bloody Mary from St Regis Macao Updated Photo 2020 Bars

    Shaken or Stirred: Macau’s Best Cocktails

    The world of mixology often proves to be as diverse and surprising as the one of gastronomy. Exercising talent and immense creativity, Macau’s bartenders keep creating signature cocktails that impress us with both flavors and presentation. If you are tired and bored with mojitos and negronis and need tips on what else to try, check out our guide to Macau’s best cocktails. 

    sound-of-century-vintage-sound-machines-museum Arts

    Macau’s Quirkiest Museums

    When art and history collections are inspected, it’s time to learn things that even locals might not know. Read on to plan a visit to Macau’s quirkiest museums.

    sw-steakhouse-barcounter-cocktails-macau-wynn-palace Bars

    SW Steakhouse Bar at Wynn Palace: Home of Barrel-Aged Cocktails

    Known as one of the best restaurants for juicy prime cuts, SW Steakhouse at Wynn Palace also features a bar with must-try cocktails.

    Negroni bar patua mgm cotai macau lifestyle Bars

    Where to Have an Unforgettable Negroni in Macau

    Check our list of the best bars in Macau that serve the Italian bitter-sweet cocktail, Negroni, from classic recipes to original twists!

    elysee bakery croissants macau Cafes

    Where to Find the Best Croissants in Macau

    Is there a more popular and beloved French pastry than the almighty croissant? We doubled our fitness hours and tried dozens of pastries to come up with the list of the best croissants in Macau!

    sponge-cake-macau-lifestyle-chinese-pastries Dining

    A Tour of Traditional Chinese Pastries in Macau

    Every tourist coming to Macau can make a fast conclusion that cookies and pastries here are held in high regard. Where do you start, and what do you eat? To get acquainted with a curious word of local sweets, check our guide to the Chinese pastries in Macau.

    The Manor Stories of the Sea Seventh Chapter Sea Urchin, fusilli Gentile red mullet bottarga, arugula ginger emulsion Dining

    Where to Have the Best Pasta in Macau

    If you’re craving for Italian-style pasta, here’re the ones that have tickled our taste buds and discover the varieties in Macau!

    Santa Rosa de Lima Culture

    Santa Rosa de Lima: Convent Turned School

    Santa Rosa de Lima is a well-known school in Macau, but did you know what it was in the 19th century? Discover more about this place here!

    Signature cocktail - Patuá mgm cotai macau Bars

    Bar Patuá at MGM Macau: Language of Mixology

    Whether it is cool cocktails, stunning design, or engaging conversations with a bartender, Bar Patuá has a lot to offer. Learn more in our review!

    girl with dog and cocktail cafe Cafes

    Best Pet Friendly Cafes in Macau

    Unwilling to leave your fur child behind while you stroll the streets of Macau? Here are pet-friendly cafes in Macau for you to bring your furry friend to!

    hac sa beach coloane Picnic spot Macau Family

    Great Picnic Spots in Macau

    Picnics are the best way to enjoy nature, good company and food. Here’re the best picnic spots in Macau for your friends and family to enjoy!

    Jetfoil TurboJET Urzela Culture

    Macau Ferries: Travelling To & From Hong Kong Since the 1950s

    Did you know that Jetfoils were originally for the military? Find out more about these Macau ferries that travel between Hong Kong and Macau!

    Korlouyeah Interview Feature Photo Artist Spotlight

    Korlouyeah: Photographing Macau’s Motions & Emotions

    Korlouyeah is a local web editor who photographs Macau and its people. We sat down with the artist to know more about his creative eye.

    Tsung I Macau Culture

    Jao Tsung-I: Prominent Sinologist & Literature Researcher in Macau

    Jao Tsung-I was a key figure in the study of ancient literature and history, as well as a prolific Chinese calligraphy artist.

    LP World Sketches Luisa People

    Sketching the World Around Her: Luísa Petiz of LP World Sketches

    Find out how Macau charmed Luísa Petiz and inspired her to sketch its beauty along with updates on exhibitions of her works!

    63c4f00b-ca84-4eda-8f54-1fc5b633bee6_l Architecture

    Macau’s Tap Seac Square by Carlos Marreiros

    Have you ever wondered about Tap Seac Square, its history, and what used to be there? Find out more about its history and right here!

    Minchi Marmitas Come Macau Culture

    Marmitas.Come: Home to Authentic Portuguese Takeaway in Macau

    Marmitas.Come is a local shop specializing in authentic Portuguese food for takeaway. Read on and find out their story and future plans!

    Camões Bust in Grotto Culture

    The Camões Phenomena: All the Way From Portugal to Macau

    Portuguese poet Camões is well-known in Macau. But do you know why? We tell you some interesting facts about the author’s life!

    macau tourist guide Local Knowledge

    A Quick Guide for First Timers to Macau

    Is it your first time in Macau? Check out our guide for the essential things to know, planning tips, directions, and places to visit!

    beijing memory li xiao feng mandarin oriental macau art Arts

    Art at Mandarin Oriental, Macau: Porcelain Dresses & Contemporary Glass Installations

    Read on to see how Mandarin Oriental, Macau, highlights its style and identity with art and design masterpieces by different artists.  

    fit in the box healthy meals macau Dining

    Best Places for a Healthy Meal in Macau

    Eating smart is the best way to achieve a healthier outlook. These healthy food spots in Macau would make any meatless Monday much easier!

  • About
  • The Team
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us

COPYRIGHT © 2022 • MACAU LIFESTYLE

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Receive Macau Events Agenda, the Hottest Giveaway Offers and the Latest Article Updates!