The Macallan Rare Cask Whisky (Taste, Best Editions, Prices)

Macallan Rare Cask is an exceptional and complex single malt whisky from the highly revered Scottish distillery, The Macallan.

Aged exclusively in sherry-seasoned oak casks, this whisky is known for its distinctive mahogany-red hue and rich flavor. 

Let’s discover all about Macallan Rare Cask, including its investment potential, the top 5 editions to buy, and the history of Macallan. 

We’ll also reveal a simple and secure way to add investment grade whisky to your portfolio through Vinovest.

Essential Facts about the Macallan Rare Cask Whisky

Macallan Rare Cask is a 43% proof single malt scotch whisky produced by The Macallan distillery in Spey, Scotland. 

So what makes this Rare Cask whisky so special?

Macallan Rare Cask is distilled in Spanish oak casks, handpicked by Kirsteen Campbell (the Macallan master whisky maker) and team from fewer than 1% of the casks maturing at the distillery. These are some of the most exclusive casks in the industry. 

The casks impart a rich, vibrant taste while the aromas of the Spanish oak pique the nose.

How is Macallan Rare Cask Whisky Made?

Here’s a brief description of the whisky’s production process: 

• Fermentation: Malted barley is cooked and fermented. (It skips the usual process of peat smoke drying and flavoring.)
• Distillation: The fermented barley is distilled through a small still.
• Aging: The liquid is poured into sherry-seasoned oak barrels and aged for approximately 12 years.
• Blending: Once the whisky is aged, it’s combined with other hand-selected whiskeys from the best of the distillery’s run for the year. Because it’s blended with other casks of various refills and ages, it is a No Age Statement (NAS) whisky - which means the bottle will not mention any age. The whisky maker then adds water to lower the proof. But no flavoring or coloring is added.

Now let’s explore the finest editions of Macallan Rare Cask for you to buy.

5 Best Macallan Rare Cask Releases

These are some of the best edition Macallan Rare Cask whiskys: 

• Macallan Rare Cask 2018 ($1196)
• Macallan Rare Cask 2016 ($751)
• Macallan Rare Cask 2019 ($475)
• Macallan Rare Cask 2021 ($385)
• Macallan Rare Cask 2020 ($382)

1. Macallan Rare Cask 2018 ($1196)

Here we have an extremely rare and highly coveted whisky with a deep, ruby natural color and a sweet fusion of dried fruit and cocoa.

This delicious woody drink marries the spicy flavors of ginger, clove and cinnamon with an intense sweet raisin note. The finish is luxurious, warm and smooth. 

2. Macallan Rare Cask 2016 ($751)

The 2016 Macallan Rare Cask malt scotch is a rich and opulent whisky. 

This creamy drink has a mesmerizing ruby red hue. The initial soft notes of vanilla and raisin are followed by a sweet fusion of brown sugar, chocolate, and light citrus zest.

3. Macallan Rare Cask 2019 ($475)

This single malt scotch opens with soft notes of vanilla and rich raisin.

Whiskey lovers will enjoy the sweet ensemble of fresh apple, lemon and ginger notes, followed by a long dark chocolate finish. 

4. Macallan Rare Cask 2021 ($385)

Immerse into the spicy quartet of vanilla, intense sweet raisin, light citrus zest, and woody flavor notes. 

This single malt whisky presents a fusion of opulent vanilla, rich raisin, root ginger and dark chocolate aromas. 

The flavors are layered with nutmeg, fresh apple and lemon hints.

5. Macallan Rare Cask 2020 ($382)

Here’s another rich and spicy single malt whisky with a sweet ensemble of raisin, chocolate and rich dried fruits. The opulent vanilla, root ginger, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon notes are followed by a velvety smooth finish.  

Whether you prefer your whisky neat, in a prepared cocktail, or in your investment portfolio, this balanced, layered scotch would be a great choice! 

Let’s see if investing in this single malt scotch whisky is a good idea.

Should you Invest in Macallan Rare Cask Whisky?

The price of a bottle of a 2018 Macallan Rare Cask increased from $499 in December 2020 to $815 in October 2022. That’s an impressive 63% increase in less than two years.

Here’s another great example: the 2014 Macallan Rare Cask appreciated by nearly 41% from Jun 2021 to Oct 2022.

Besides, other aged and rare Macallan whiskeys have fetched seven figures in auctions. For example, a forgotten cask from this whisky maker (Macallan 1988), sold for almost $1.3 million at a Whisky Hammer auction in 2022. 

In fact, whiskey casks are a great way to invest in fine spirits. 

Why Invest in Whisky Casks?

You can easily find a bottle to drink or to make a prepared cocktail from The Macallan, Wild Turkey and other leading distilleries at your local alcohol store. But sourcing investment-worthy bottles of whisky can be challenging.

It’s a better idea to invest in whisky casks. Historically, casks have performed well, increasing in value by 12-18% annually. 

Moreover, the whiskey cask market hasn’t fully matured yet. By investing in new casks from leading distillers in the United Kingdom, New Orleans or anywhere else around the US, you can maximize potential returns. 

So how can you invest in whisky from this iconic distillery?

Buy Macallan and Other Coveted Whiskey Casks Through Vinovest

Vinovest offers a simple and secure way to invest in the world’s rarest whisky casks. 

Not only does Vinovest have access to the world’s finest whiskeys, but they cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you. 

Here are some of the other benefits of investing through Vinovest:

• Your cask is fully insured, stored and managed by our team of whiskey experts.
• You will receive a sample bottle from your cask annually.
• You can schedule an in-person viewing of your whisky.
• You can sell your cask or have it bottled.

Before we wind up, let's look at the origins and evolution of the prestigious Macallan distillery.

A Brief History of The Macallan Distillery

The Macallan distillery was founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, a farmer in Speyside, Scotland. 

In 1868, the Macallan estate was taken over by James Stuart, who then sold it to Roderick Kemp in 1892. 

Initially, the distillery produced double malt scotch. The process involved blending whisky from the Macallan estate and external distilleries, creating what’s known as a blended malt scotch.

In the 1980s, Macallan whisky makers moved away from blended scotch whisky. They started making single malt scotch using malt whisky exclusively from the Macallan estate.

At this time, the Macallan was also rebranded into the “luxury whisky” we know today.

Currently, the distillery is owned by The Edrington Group Ltd. and run by the Macallan whisky mastery team. 

The Macallan Rare Cask: A Bold Yet Balanced Whisky

The Macallan Rare Cask is a testament to the excellence of Scottish whisky making, displaying complexity and balance. 

If you’d like to invest in rare Scottish whisky from distilleries like The Macallan, Benriach, Highland Park and more, whisky casks are your best option. But sourcing casks on your own can be difficult as they are quite rare.

Partner with the experts at Vinovest instead and start investing in the finest Scottish and American whiskeys today.