Travel retail exclusive The Macallan Concept Number 2 is a sherry-casked whisky that draws inspiration from music to create a hit.

The Macallan has announced the release of The Macallan Concept Number 2, the second and newest release in its limited edition travel retail exclusive Concept series that has just become available at DFS in Singapore Changi International Airport. First unveiled in October last year at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes, France, Concept Number 2 was subsequently launched in global travel retail in January this year.

Concept Number 2 follows after (rather unsurprisingly) The Macallan Concept Number 1, an expression launched in Singapore early 2019. Concept Number 2 actually comes with a specific concept – pardoning the pun – than Concept Number 1, exploring the creative similarities between crafting whisky and creating music. For Concept Number 2, The Macallan whisky maker Steven Bremner got the opportunity to combine two loves and taps his own musical experiences to make the whisky.

“Music has inspired many aspects of my life, both creatively and practically, as has whisky, so the creation of Concept Number 2 allowed me to look at my two passions through a different lens,” shares Steven Bremner, Whisky Maker, The Macallan, who is an avid house music DJ.

“Creating a track and crafting a single malt can take a similar path. Beginning with the layering of sounds just like the layering of different flavours from specific cask types. Each different cask brings its own influence to the character of the liquid, like each instrument, or sound, adds depth to a track. In both cases, we can alter each different element to play up or down particular sounds or flavours.”

If you remember, Concept Number 1 explored the concept of cask finishing. It saw Macallan new-make spirit first aged in sherry seasoned-casks, before being transferred into ex-bourbon casks for further maturation. But Concept Number Two is a totally different composition altogether, using a combination of Miguel Martin sherry-seasoned American oak casks and ex-bourbon casks to create harmonic flavours of vanilla, citrus, and toffee.

We’re not sure what the concept is going to be for the next and final expression in the three-part Concept Series, but we’re almost pretty sure it’s going to be called The Macallan Concept Number 3. Meanwhile our tasting notes for Concept Number 2 are given below, so if it sounds like something you’d be interested in remember to make space for it in your duty free allowance.

The Macallan Concept Number 2 is now available at exclusively from DFS Duty Free Stores in Singapore Changi International Airport at S$203. This limited release is also available online from iShopChangi.com.


 

Official Whisky Maker’s Tasting Notes – The Macallan Concept Number 2

colour Sunburst gold.
nose Rich toffee apple, with vanilla, warming oak spice and blackberry. Hints of nutmeg, rose water and pistachio.
palate Sweet toffee and dried apple with almond, cinnamon and gentle rounded wood spice.
finish Medium sweet, smooth with hints of spice and toffee to finish.

Spirited Singapore’s Tasting Notes – The Macallan Concept Number 2

colour Golden sunshine in early autumn.
nose Baked apple pie or honey cake, candied ginger, a touch of vanilla and a drop of honey.
palate Apples and pears poached in a ginger- and vanilla-infused syrup, with bitter almonds and wood spice at the finish
finish Medium finish with a slight weightiness that belies its 40% ABV.
verdict The initial impression is hallmark Macallan, until the persistent oaky bitter bite takes over near the finish. Can we call this adult Macallan? In any case, Concept Number 2 is definitely more complex that the very approachable Concept Number 1. That price tag for a NAS can be a little of a gamble for most.

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