Macallan Concept Number 2 40% NV

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (80)

'A captivating expression inspired by the similarities in the creative approaches of crafting whisky and creating music.' Right, at 40% that would be chamber music. I hope they've sold more than ten bottles to French speaking countries altogether because the way the word 'concept' is designed here just doesn't work too well. Not sure it works in English either but in French, you first read 'Idiot' (con). David Ogilvy, please resurrect! Having said that, maybe did they try to go Dadaistically arty or something like that. Colour: light gold. Nose: pretty similar, with a gentle sherriness and something slightly eau-de-vie-ish, perhaps because this is young, then with rather more dried fruits, dates, figs, raisins, prunes, then sponge cake, chocolate and marmalade. That's right, Jaffa cakes. It's all rather mezzo piano, if not piano. The 40% vol., I suppose. Mouth: rather fatter and brighter than the Lumina at first, almost mezzo forte for a few seconds, but much steam is lost then and it would go down to pianissimo. Scones and English tea with a mocha-spoonful of marmalade. Finish: short, whispering, thank God not too drying and tea-ish. Nice earthiness and sherry. Comments: I believe it all went diminuendo, but it's rather not bad in my book. I'm sure it would have deserved saxophones. I mean, 45% vol or more.

BOW (87)