There’s nothing better than spending an afternoon with whiskey (A Macallan Edition No. 3 to be precise) and watches (well, the Bell & Ross VIntage BR V1-92 Military actually) – both, exemplars of a gentleman’s lifestyle and in understanding the heritage and craft of both genres, a noble pursuit for men seeking a greater understanding of the centuries of skill it takes to produce works of art which serve to make life tolerable.

The Macallan Edition No. 3 is a new limited edition whiskey from the label. As implied by the name, it is the third release in the Edition Series which sees Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno and Master Perfumer, Roja Dove uniting the worlds of whisky and aroma to reveal the complexities of single malt character and more importantly, expanding the complexities of flavour profiling beyond that of seasoned whisky drinkers and master sommeliers experience and often, extol.

Discovering Roja Dove and The Macallan Edition No. 3 in an Afternoon of Gentlemanly Pursuits

While it is frequently asserted that somewhere between 75 and 95 % of what we commonly think of as taste actually comes from the sense of smell, there is little empirical evidence to support this quantitative claim, however, though the precise percentage is in dispute, the reality is that If one has ordinary tastebuds like mine, most of us would be unable to detect the hints of whatever flavours compose the profile of the whisky. I am glad to report that the pioneering work of a Master Perfumer like Raja Dove means that story of The Macallan’s oak casks and obsession with wood will finally be truly understood by regular joes who want to get into whisky but hesitate for fear of seeming uncultured for not being able to taste hints of vanilla, cherries or whatever happened to be used to fertilise the grounds. The Macallan Edition No. 3 is a salve in that direction, though a limited edition, serves to widen knowledge of the whisky production and consumption process.

“There are great parallels between the worlds of whisky and perfume and it has been fascinating to work with Roja to explore the power of aroma in individual oak casks and its influence on the resulting whisky. Edition No. 3 is a remarkable journey of the sense, delivering an intense experience of flavour and aroma.” – Bob Dalgarno

Edition No.3, created by Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno and Master Perfumer, Roja Dove is the label’s commitment to unlock the intricate workings and in a feat of true transparency, demystify the processes and flavour profiles; furthermore, it also showcases the absolute skill of the Master Whisky Maker. While Edition No. 1 and Edition No. 2 highlighted the influence each cask has on the taste and flavour of the final whisky, Edition No. 3 provides an insight into the distinctive aromas that combine to build character and depth and create a multi-sensory experience of taste and aroma.

Roja Dove is a fragrance specialist, fragrance historian, and perfumer whose fragrances are sold at luxury department stores worldwide. Beginning in 1981, his career saw him joining French perfume house Guerlain where he worked for 20 years before setting out on his own. Dove is himself, a “rock star” in his field with a celebrated ‘nose’ and ability to identify 800 scents blindfolded. Thus, his inclusion into a whiskey redefining product like The Macallan Edition No.3 is revolutionary, serving to delight old guard whisky aficionados and enlighten a breed of newbies as well.

“Inspiration and innovation lie at the heart of The Macallan and in Edition No. 3 we have collaborated with one of the world’s most respected aroma experts to create a single malt whisky which pushes the boundaries and challenges convention.” – Master Whisky Maker Dalgarno

Master Perfumer Roja Dove

Roja Dove provided his expertise and sensory knowledge to describe distinctive aromas to specific oak tastes and with the assistance of Dalgarno, the mix of aromas and dominant notes to shape the Edition No. 3. As in previous Editions No. 1 and 2, the brand’s exceptional oak casks are the primary contributors for the colours and distinctive aromas but in Macallan Edition No. 3, the a higher proportion of smaller casks are used. What results is increased contact between the spirit and the wood (both European and American oak), delivering an intense yellow gold nectar presenting a sweet and fruity character, bringing to the fore notes of vanilla, fresh cut oak, delicate florals and rich fruit cake.

“We worked together to master the balance of taste and aroma, resulting in an incredibly flavoursome, fresh and citrus whisky with enveloping sweetness. Edition No. 3 is an exceptional example of the whisky maker’s art where Bob has interpreted my thoughts so accurately, when combined with the extraordinary power of scent.” – Roja Dove

The Macallan Edition No. 3 Price and Tasting Notes

The Macallan Edition No. 3 is an alluring whisky that reflects the artistic genius of the collaborators who united to curate this distinctive single malt. With an ABV of 48.3%, the sensory journey of flavour and aroma are not just intimately entwined but obviously presented – the Macallan Edition No. 3 will retail at SG$190.

Colour Barley Gold
Aroma The nose leads with vanilla ice cream, fresh cut oak and delicate florals. Orange oil provides subtle grandeur with hints of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. Vanilla leads with sweet notes, guiding citrus profiles followed by chocolate to show

C = Number of cask types (6)
V = Number of casks vatted to create the full year volume (523)
T = Colour tint of the product (T.23)
2017 = Year of Release (2017)
003 = Annual limited release number (Edition No. 3)