The Macallan 'M Black' Scotch Whisky 2018
The Macallan 'M Black' Scotch Whisky 2018 is a 44.8% ABV (89.6 proof) non-age-statement Speyside single malt from The Macallan's M Collection — the peated-leaning counterpoint to the original M. Matured in sherry-seasoned oak with peated spirit from rare "black-ended" casks selected by the Whisky Mastery Team, it comes in a handcrafted black-crystal decanter by Lalique (creative direction by Fabien Baron): six sharp angular facets, 850 individually numbered decanters for the 2018 release. A 750mL bottle of cherry-chocolate sweetness with whispers of peat. Shop prestige Scotch online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 44.8% (89.6 proof) — 2018 release; verify bottle
- Size: 750mL
- Age: Non-age-statement
- Casks: Sherry-seasoned oak + peated "black-ended" casks
- Decanter: Lalique black crystal, 850 numbered decanters (2018)
The Dark Side of M
The M Collection is The Macallan's prestige decanter line, and M Black is its smoky twin: sherry-seasoned richness meets a measured thread of peat, where the original M is all sherry sweetness. The 2018 decanter is a first for Lalique — black crystal, cut into six facets by creative director Fabien Baron — making the bottle itself a design object. The official whisky-maker's notes describe burnt-umber colour, rich cherry-chocolate and citrus on the nose, salted caramel enveloped by whispers of peat smoke, smoke rising on the palate without dominating, and a long, smoky finish. See more The Macallan whisky and the Scotch whisky collection.
Tasting Notes
Colour: burnt umber. Nose: rich cherry chocolate, fresh citrus, dried fruit, salted caramel, whispers of peat smoke. Palate: green apples and citrus, dried fruit richness, rising smoke that never dominates. Finish: long and smoky. (Official whisky-maker's notes via launch coverage.)
How to Enjoy
Neat in the Lalique decanter's intended setting — a slow evening pour. The peat thread also plays beautifully beside a cigar, if that's your pairing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is M Black a peated Macallan? Partly — it incorporates peated spirit from rare "black-ended" sherry casks, but the smoke is a whisper, not an Islay blast.
What is the difference between the 2017 and 2018 M Black? The 2017 release was 725 decanters at 45% ABV; the 2018 release was 850 decanters at 44.8% ABV.
Who made the decanter? Lalique, in black crystal — a first for the M Collection — with creative direction by Fabien Baron.
Black crystal, black-ended casks, numbered and collectible — order Macallan M Black 2018 online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.