The Macallan Edition No. 5 Scotch Whisky
The Macallan Edition No. 5 Scotch Whisky is the fifth chapter of The Macallan's discontinued annual Edition Series, bottled at 97 proof (48.5% ABV) in a 750mL bottle. Released in autumn 2019 and created with the Pantone Color Institute, it is a no-age-statement Highland single malt matured exclusively in 100% American oak — five distinct cask types selected by whisky maker Sarah Burgess — with 100% natural color and no chill filtration. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Proof / ABV: 97 proof (48.5% ABV)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: No age statement — Edition Series annual release, autumn 2019
- Casks: 100% American oak: first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, refill hogsheads and butts, first-fill Tonsa, Vasyma, and Hudosa casks
- Origin: The Macallan Distillery, Craigellachie, Speyside, Scotland (est. 1824)
The Purple Edition: A Celebration of Natural Colour
Every release in The Macallan's Edition Series explored a different pillar of whisky making, and Edition No. 5 turned to colour — a tribute to Macallan's commitment to 100% natural colouring, with no spirit caramel added. The distillery partnered with the Pantone Color Institute to create a bespoke shade of purple for the packaging, described by Pantone as the rainbow's most complex colour, mirroring the layered complexity of the whisky inside. The unusual all-American-oak recipe — a departure from Macallan's signature sherry-oak style — delivers a brighter, more vanilla-forward, orchard-fruit-driven character. Browse the The Macallan collection and explore more Scotch whisky at Del Mesa.
Tasting Notes
The nose opens with vanilla and toffee over oak, nutmeg, ginger, lemon basil, and pear. The palate is fresh and sweet — caramel moving into poached peaches and ripe pear, followed by toffee sweetness with light oak spice in the form of nutmeg and ginger. The finish is long and sweet, lingering with nutmeg, dark chocolate, and baking spice.
How to Enjoy
Serve neat in a tulip glass to catch the full aromatic range of the five-cask marriage; a few drops of water open the orchard-fruit character further. This is a collector-grade pour for a quiet evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes The Macallan Edition No. 5 different from other Macallans?
It is matured in 100% American oak — unusual for Macallan, which typically leads with European sherry oak — and was created with the Pantone Color Institute to celebrate natural whisky colour.
What is the ABV of Macallan Edition No. 5?
48.5% ABV (97 proof), bottled with natural colour and without chill filtration.
Is Macallan Edition No. 5 still produced?
No. The Edition Series ran from 2015 to 2020 and is permanently discontinued, making each release increasingly scarce.
Order The Macallan Edition No. 5 online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — a discontinued Pantone-edition single malt while the allocation lasts.
