Macallan Limited Edition Year of the Pig Double Cask 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml

The Macallan Limited Edition Year of the Pig Double Cask 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml brings a striking, ceremonial flair to the world of collectible Speyside malts. Released in early 2019 to honor the twelfth and final stage of the Chinese zodiac cycle, this scarce Lunar New Year commemorative bottling pairs the distillery’s unwavering commitment to luxury with beautifully executed cultural artistry. Originally debuting as an interconnected twin-pack nestled inside a vibrant red and gold gift box, this standalone 700ml allocation offers collectors and enthusiasts a highly prized, finite opportunity to secure a vital milestone in Macallan’s design history.

The liquid foundation of this zodiac release relies on the harmonious, dual-timber layout that redefined the distillery’s core lineup. To construct the profile, Macallan’s wood teams processed raw American oak staves from the forests of Ohio alongside dense European oak from northern Spain, shipping both sets of custom cooperage to Jerez, Spain, for a mandatory two-year seasoning cycle with dry Oloroso sherry. The heavy, unblended malt spirit spent 144 months resting across this calculated barrel matrix, pulling creamy confectionary elements from the New World timber and dark fruit structures from the Spanish wood. Bottled at a traditionally approachable 86 proof (43% ABV) for most western markets, it relies on its native grain viscosity to bridge the two radically different wood characters into a single, cohesive voice.

Pouring this natural, harvest-sun-tinted dram reveals a beautifully dessert-forward sensory path. The nose break opens with a prominent bouquet of rich, creamy butterscotch, vanilla custard, and warm toffee apples, underlaid by fragrant top notes of candied orange peel and newly felled oak. On the intake, the texture coats the tongue in a silky, medium-bodied oiliness, blanketing the palate in decadent flavors of clover honey, warm caramel, and plump raisins. The mid-palate introduces a sharper, masterfully balanced depth where dry wood spices, fresh citrus oils, and light cinnamon biscuits challenge the underlying sugars. The journey concludes with an impressively prolonged, warm conclusion, tapering off into a drying trail of soft wood tannins and sweet, lingering fruit esters.

Far beyond a standard core bottling, the Year of the Pig edition functions as a highly coveted crossover asset that commands a massive presence on the global secondary market. By matching an acclaimed, award-winning flavor profile with highly specific, non-repeatable label artwork adorned with unmistakable Chinese motifs, the distillery engineered an irreplaceable snapshot of their modern creative peak. It possesses more than enough structural clarity to be thoroughly enjoyed neat from a proper tasting glass during a festive gathering, yet holds its sweet caramel character perfectly if built into an upscale highball. Complete with its iconic presentation, this private allocation stands as an essential keepsake for serious single malt purists tracking rare commemorative milestones.

• Size: 700ml (Allocated Standalone Bottling)
• Proof: 86 Proof (43% ABV) — Note: Some regional market iterations vary to 40% ABV
• Age: 12 Years Old — fully matured to peak wood-to-spirit equilibrium across more than a decade
• Origin: Craigellachie, Speyside (Highlands), Scotland
• Distillery: The Macallan Distillery
• Style/Class: Single Malt Scotch Whisky — Limited Edition Lunar New Year Allocation
• Composition: 100% Single-Distillery Pot Still Malted Barley
• Cask Profile: Married from a calculated combination of 100% sherry-seasoned American oak and European oak barrels
• Historical Context: Released in January 2019 as the second annual chapter within the brand's premium Zodiac Gift Box series
• Tasting Notes: Creamy butterscotch, vanilla custard, toffee apple, candied orange, clover honey, warm caramel, plump raisins, fresh citrus oil, cinnamon biscuit, dry wood spice, seasoned oak; long, warm finish with a sweet and drying wood finish