Macallan Edition No. 5 750ML

Macallan Edition No. 5 750ML is a limited-release Speyside single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 48.5% ABV (97 proof) in a 750ml format. Scored 92 points by Whisky Advocate, this expression stands apart as the first whisky produced in collaboration with the Pantone Color Institute™, celebrating the natural color imparted by 100% American oak casks sourced from three distinguished sherry bodegas.

Quick Facts: ABV: 48.5%  |  Origin: Speyside, Scotland  |  No Age Statement (NAS)  |  Distillery: The Macallan

Production & Heritage

The Macallan Distillery, founded in 1824 in the Speyside region and owned by Edrington Group, is one of Scotland's most recognized single malt producers. Edition No. 5 was matured exclusively in American oak casks selected from three bodegas, with cask choice driven primarily by the color each vessel contributed to the final spirit. The collaboration with the Pantone Color Institute resulted in a unique shade of purple for the packaging — a visual representation of the whisky's emphasis on natural color derived from wood interaction rather than caramel coloring. As with all Macallan expressions, the spirit is distilled from 100% unpeated malted barley.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dried fruits and salted caramel before revealing layers of sawdust, ginger, and a subtle floral note of jasmine. Give it time in the glass — the initial reticence yields to richer notes of toffee and vanilla with gentle oak undertones.

Taste: The entry is fresh and sweet, led by caramel and poached peaches that transition into ripe pear and plum at the mid-palate. Milk chocolate, coffee, and raisin notes emerge alongside new leather, while warming spice — nutmeg, black pepper, and ginger — builds toward a peak that is more spice-forward than many Macallan expressions. Cooked sugar and lemon basil linger between sips.

Finish: The finish is long and sweet, with dark chocolate and leather holding steady as the spice gradually recedes. A lingering toffee sweetness and light oak close things out cleanly.

How to Drink Edition No. 5

At 48.5% ABV, this drinks beautifully neat or with a few drops of water to open the oak spice and fruit layers. A single large ice cube tames the pepper without drowning the toffee and chocolate complexity.

• Rob Roy: The dried fruit and chocolate notes complement sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters in this classic Scotch cocktail.
• Blood & Sand: Edition No. 5's ripe stone fruit and spice cut through the cherry liqueur and orange juice, adding backbone without overpowering.
• Penicillin: The toffee sweetness and ginger spice make it a natural fit alongside honey-ginger syrup and a float of smoky Scotch.

Best For

• Adding a limited-edition collectible to a Macallan shelf
• Gifting a whisky enthusiast who values unique packaging and production stories
• Side-by-side tasting with other Macallan Edition series releases
• After-dinner sipping alongside dark chocolate or dessert

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Edition No. 5 taste like? Edition No. 5 leads with caramel, poached peach, and ripe pear, followed by milk chocolate, coffee, and warming spice from ginger and black pepper. The finish is long and sweet with dark chocolate and leather.

How does Edition No. 5 compare to GlenDronach Revival 15? Both are sherry-cask-matured Highland/Speyside single malts, but Edition No. 5 uses exclusively American oak while GlenDronach Revival 15 matures in a combination of Pedro Ximénez and Oloroso sherry casks, producing a darker, more intensely fruited profile. Edition No. 5 is spicier and more toffee-driven, whereas the GlenDronach leans toward blackberry, stone fruit, and candied walnut.

Is Edition No. 5 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 48.5% ABV delivers full flavor without excessive heat, and the layered progression of fruit, chocolate, and spice rewards slow, attentive sipping.

Where is Edition No. 5 made? Edition No. 5 is distilled at The Macallan Distillery in Craigellachie, Speyside, Scotland. Speyside is home to the largest concentration of Scotch whisky distilleries in the country.

What foods pair well with Edition No. 5? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and leather notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère echoes the toffee sweetness. Roasted pear tart mirrors the fruit core. Charcuterie with spiced salami plays off the ginger and pepper. Crème brûlée pairs naturally with the caramel and vanilla character.

What sizes does Edition No. 5 come in? Edition No. 5 is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Edition No. 5 worth the price? As a discontinued limited-release expression with a unique Pantone collaboration and strong critical acclaim (92 points, Whisky Advocate), Edition No. 5 positions in the premium-to-collectible tier. Its value has appreciated on the secondary market since production ended, making it both a drinking and collecting proposition.

Why Edition No. 5?

Edition No. 5 occupies a singular position in The Macallan's catalog as the only expression developed in direct partnership with the Pantone Color Institute, placing natural cask-derived color at the center of its identity. The exclusive use of American oak from three separate bodegas gives it a spice-forward, toffee-rich profile that distinguishes it from the more sherry-dominant house style. With a 92-point score from Whisky Advocate and its status as a now-discontinued limited edition, it has become one of the more sought-after bottles in the Edition series. For collectors and drinkers alike, it represents a rare intersection of production transparency, sensory quality, and design collaboration.