{"product_id":"the-macallan-18-year-sherry-oak-cask-2018-annual-release-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-750ml","title":"The Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak Cask 2018 Annual Release Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak Cask 2018 Annual Release is the historically significant first vintage of one of the most iconic single malts in the world released in The Macallan's modern post rebrand packaging, hand crafted at The Macallan Distillery, founded by Alexander Reid in 1824 in the village of Craigellachie in Speyside and now widely regarded as the world's most prestigious single malt scotch brand. The 2018 release marked the first new packaging style for the Macallan Sherry Oak 18 since 2006, with the long running iconic shiny purple presentation gift box (which had defined the 18 Year for over a decade) retired the previous year. This 2018 vintage introduced the now familiar tall sloped shoulder bottle architecture (inspired by The Macallan Rare Cask bottling) and the distinctive diamond textured black presentation box with the prominently displayed flavor descriptor \"Mature Oak. Ginger. Raisin.\" and \"Annual 2018 Release\" indication on the side panel. The whisky itself was matured for a minimum of 18 years exclusively in hand picked sherry seasoned oak casks from Jerez, Spain (Oloroso sherry seasoned European oak), maintaining the traditional Macallan Sherry Oak recipe. Awarded 92 points by Whisky Advocate for the 2018 Edition with the magazine noting Jaffa oranges, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, dried fruits, and warm leather on the nose; a rich and spicy palate with more orange, vanilla, and burning logs; and smoky sherry, ginger, dried fruits, and seasoned oak in the full finish. Bottled at 43% ABV in 750ml with natural color from the sherry cask program. As the transition vintage between the classic and modern eras of Macallan packaging, the 2018 release holds particular significance for collectors building complete Macallan Sherry Oak vertical sets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eABV \/ Proof\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Macallan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Macallan Distillery, Craigellachie, Speyside (est. 1824)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFounder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlexander Reid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOwner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Edrington Group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaster Whisky Maker (Legacy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBob Dalgarno\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHighland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Sherry Oak Matured\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpeyside, Highlands, Scotland\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe Macallan Sherry Oak Collection Annual Release\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVintage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2018 Annual Release (First Modern Packaging Vintage)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSignificance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirst Sherry Oak 18 in Modern Tall Sloped Shoulder Bottle and Diamond Textured Black Box (Replaced Classic Purple Box Used Since 2006)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18 Years (Minimum)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaturation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExclusively in Hand Picked Sherry Seasoned Oak Casks from Jerez, Spain (Oloroso Sherry Seasoned European Oak)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eABV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e43%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e86\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColouring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNatural Colour\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e92 Points, Whisky Advocate (2018 Edition)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePackaging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirst Modern Post Rebrand Packaging: Tall Sloped Shoulder Bottle with Diamond Textured Black Box, \"Mature Oak. Ginger. Raisin.\" Descriptor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiscontinued Annual Vintage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCountry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScotland\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light mahogany with deep amber gold highlights, natural color from 18 years in sherry seasoned European oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jaffa oranges, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, dried fruits, soaked raisins, sultanas, ground cinnamon, warm leather, Christmas cake, demerara sugar, juicy red soaked grapes, oak, and a classic Macallan sherry oak signature with notable spice intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich and spicy, with more orange, vanilla, burning logs, mature oak, ginger, raisin flavors, dark intense sherry, dark chocolate, clove studded orange, candied citrus, full bodied dried fruit, dark chocolate coated ginger, dates, dried apricots, balanced oak, and the sweetness of vanilla woven through the European oak character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full and lingering with smoky sherry, ginger, dried fruits, seasoned oak, sweet toffee, gentle wood spice, dark chocolate, and a smooth elegant aromatic fade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is the 2018 release significant?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 2018 Annual Release was the first vintage of the Macallan Sherry Oak 18 to debut in the modern post rebrand packaging that defines the bottle today. In late 2017 \/ early 2018, The Macallan undertook a comprehensive packaging redesign of its entire Sherry Oak range, retiring the long running iconic shiny purple presentation gift box (which had been in use since 2006) and introducing the tall sloped shoulder bottle architecture (inspired by the design of the Macallan Rare Cask bottling) along with the distinctive diamond textured black presentation box that remains in use today. The 2018 vintage is therefore the transition release between the classic Macallan Sherry Oak era and the modern era, making it particularly significant to collectors building complete Macallan vintage verticals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does \"Annual Release\" mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e Beginning in the early 2000s, The Macallan transitioned the Sherry Oak 18 from vintage dated bottles (e.g., \"1989 vintage,\" \"1990 vintage\") to an annual release format that does not specify the exact distillation year on the front label. Each year's release contains spirit aged at least 18 years from earlier production runs, with the bottling year identified on the back label or batch code. The 2018 Annual Release contains spirit distilled in 2000 or earlier, ensuring every component met the 18 year minimum maturation requirement, and was crafted under the legacy era leadership of Master Whisky Maker Bob Dalgarno (who retired in 2019). Each year's Sherry Oak 18 vintage is a discrete one off, never repeated in the same form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is The Macallan Sherry Oak so iconic?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Macallan has built its global reputation on a singular dedication to sherry seasoned oak cask maturation, a philosophy maintained continuously since the 19th century. The brand spends more on wood than any other distillery in Scotland, sourcing oak from forests in Galicia and Cantabria in northern Spain, custom building casks at Tevasa and other partner cooperages in Jerez, seasoning the casks with Oloroso sherry for up to two years, and only then shipping them to Macallan for whisky maturation. The Sherry Oak 18 sits as the brand's flagship aged sherry oak expression and is often considered the global benchmark for the entire category of sherry matured single malt scotch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow rare is this 2018 vintage?\u003c\/strong\u003e Strictly limited to its 2018 production allocation and no longer in production. The 2018 Annual Release sold through at original retail during the 2018 and early 2019 release window, and inventory has not been replenished. As the first vintage in the modern post rebrand packaging style, the 2018 is particularly sought after by Macallan collectors building complete vertical sets and as a historical artifact marking the transition between the classic purple box era and the modern diamond textured black box era. Sealed bottles in original packaging are increasingly scarce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere can I buy The Macallan 18 Sherry Oak 2018 online?\u003c\/strong\u003e Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Macallan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48532732674303,"sku":"LOB-00012","price":749.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0234\/6401\/7997\/files\/the-macallan-18-year-sherry-oak-cask-2018-annual-release-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-750ml-5771253.webp?v=1778978468","url":"https:\/\/www.liquoronbroadway.com\/products\/the-macallan-18-year-sherry-oak-cask-2018-annual-release-highland-single-malt-scotch-whisky-750ml","provider":"Liquor On Broadway","version":"1.0","type":"link"}