MACALLAN Official '1861 Replica'

Despite its legendary bottle, the contents are delicious. MACALLAN MACALLAN OB '1861 REPLICA' 42.7% Released in 2001 The aroma is heavy and musty, with an old-world feel, dried orange, a refined rustic barley note, and a touch of buttercream. While not flashy, the flavor is rich and dense, with a creamy, viscous texture that clings to the tongue. It has a chewy, concentrated quality, allowing the barley's umami to seep through, leaving a pleasant aftertaste. [Good/Very Good] The official MACALLAN bottle '1861 Replica,' released in 2001, was created by marrying original casks to closely replicate the flavor profile of a 1861-era bottle. Every detail, from the shape to the contents, was meticulously recreated. While several replicas exist, only the 1874 Replica released in 1996 is considered authentic. All others, including this '1861 Replica,' are replicas of fake bottles. The aroma lacks florals, instead offering a heavy, musty character with notes of dried orange and rustic barley. Despite its specifications, the old-world feel is quite pronounced. The flavor is rich and dense, with a creamy viscosity that clings to the tongue. It has a chewy concentration, allowing full enjoyment of the barley's umami. While not complex, its refined concentration makes it delicious. Interestingly, this bottle is famous but I've only just tasted it for the first time. Despite being a replica of a fake bottle, its contents are undeniably official MACALLAN. I greatly enjoy the aged, smooth character from its maturation. This is a common trait in older non-sherry MACALLAN, suggesting the original casks were indeed rich in content. But was this old-world feel present at bottling time? Was it a recreation, or did the malt undergo around 15 years of aging through dilution? Those who've tasted it often mention a younger, fresher flavor, implying it might be an aged expression. Yet, the original fake '1861' bottle would naturally have had significant old-world character. So, was this replica created to mimic its bottled state? The mystery deepens. #MACALLAN (MACALLAN)