MACALLAN 1988 24.124 'CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF EXTREME' - THE SCOTCH MALT WHISKY SOCIETY

Had a small wander around the grounds at Macallan during the Spirit of Speyside Festival.
This was Sunday 5th May... but the Distillery Visitor's Centre was closed?? Why is a place like The Macallan not open during a whisky festival, I had to ask myself?? It sure seemed odd to me?!?!

Anyway, looking down on the Spey from the grounds next to Easter Elchies house is really something on a day sunny day and you can't help agreeing with the location of the iconic house featured on the Macallan label. A beautiful spot, indeed...

Easter Elchies House and garden @ Macallan - May 5th 2013 © The Malt Desk

This time I'll be tasting something that immediately lead my thoughts back to the 10yo cask strength version from a few years back, though this expression is twice as old... and what The Macallan should really be like, IMO...

Please also visit the blog again in the second half of June - I'll have more on The Macallan then...

Now, on to the review...

Macallan 1988 24.124 (22.12.1988) 23yo 'Close to the edge of extreme' 50,8%, refill ex-sherry butt, 403 bottles, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Colour is mahogany

Nose:
Varnish, clean but also slightly floral sherry than initially smells more fino than oloroso, very herbal too, strong tea, strawberry, Tia Maria liqueur and a slight dairy note

Taste:
Very creamy arrival, heavy on the sherry - oloroso this time, nuts, molasses, malt, black olives, tobacco, drying and a hint of yeast and burnt caramel on the finish.

A delicious Macallan, this one...just short of making 91p, so...

90/100!