This version of the Macallan Exceptional Single Cask series ran from 2017 to 2019 and includes a 1950 cask released in 2018. Photo: Macallan
The Macallan Exceptional Single Cask Series is a collection of exceptional whiskies that were hand selected as to epitomise Macallan whisky in its purest form. The whisky makers at The Macallan reportedly did not go looking for whiskies to create this series, instead they were discovered during routine assessment and tastings. If a cask was deemed worthy of representing The Macallan then it was put forward to join the ranks of Exceptional Single Casks.
The first iteration of the Exceptional Cask bottles began life in the early 2000s. Five casks were bottled between 2000 and 2005 in the first mini series, known as the Exception Cask, Cask Strength bottles. In 2017 the range was restyled and relaunched, with a range of bottles ranging from 12 to 22 years-old. The collection has been expanded since then and in 2018 a 1950 single cask was introduced to the collection.
The first iteration of Macallan’s single cask, cask strength series began in 2000 and became a five bottle series. Photo: Mark Littler LTD
As the name suggests, each bottling is just a single cask, which means release numbers are strictly limited. The highest number of bottles in any particular release was was 643 – from 2017/ESB-9100/13. The smallest release numbers are less than 200 bottles, such as Macallan 1997 Exceptional Cask ESH-14813/12 Bottled 2018 and Macallan 1997 Exceptional Cask ESH-1481 Bottled 2019.
The Macallan have a archive of the Exceptional Cask bottles released between 2017 and 2019. Both iterations of the of the series have become sought after on the secondary market. Unsurprisingly the most expensive bottle is the 1950 vintage, which sell for between £20,000 and £30,000 on the secondary market. The later vintages can be added to a collection from around £2,000 however. Given the unique nature of these releases (single cask, cask strength Macallan is very unusual post 2020) for the discerning collector after a broad series to collect or a drinker after a purest experience of the Macallan, we’d suggest these bottles are a must.
