Macallan 40 Year Old Sherry Oak 2005 Release

The Macallan Sherry Oak 40 Years Old (2005 Release) Single Malt Scotch Whisky
700ml | 47.2% ABV | Natural Color | Non-Chill Filtered | Discontinued

A Pre-Red Collection Legend

The Macallan 40 Year Old 2005 is a historic bottling from an era when The Macallan still regularly released ultra-aged age statements. Distilled in 1965 and bottled in 2005 at cask strength (47.2% ABV), this expression predates the modern Red Collection and represents the distillery’s traditional sherry cask mastery at its most profound. Consequently, it captures the rich, unpeated style that defined vintage Macallan. Moreover, with fewer than 1,000 bottles released, it’s now a museum-grade rarity.

Four Decades in Spanish Oak

This whisky matured for 40 years in sherry-seasoned European oak casks—a testament to patience and cask selection. In fact, the Macallan 40 Year Old 2005 developed extraordinary depth, with layers of antique wood, dried fruit, and spice that only extreme aging can produce.

Powerful, Elegant, and Timelessly Complex

Bottled at 47.2% ABV, this expression delivers majestic intensity with remarkable balance. As a result, it weaves together fig, prune, and treacle with cinnamon, tobacco, and polished oak. Additionally, the four-decade maturation imparts a waxy, silky texture that lingers for minutes.

Tasting Experience

First, the nose reveals old library books, beeswax, and dried plum, followed by ginger, nutmeg, and a whisper of leather. Then, subtle notes of dark honey and roasted almond emerge with air.

On the palate, the texture is velvety and weightless. Flavors of black tea, prune, baking spice, and antique wood unfold with grace. The high strength feels integrated, adding warmth and structure without heat.

Finally, the finish is eternal—dried herbs, cocoa, and a haunting echo of history. Altogether, it’s a transcendent dram that honors the legacy of this Macallan 40 Year Old 2005.

A True Collector’s Artifact

Released in limited quantities in 2005, this bottling is now virtually unobtainable at retail. Therefore, it appears only in high-profile auctions, often fetching $10,000+. Its green glass bottle and classic labeling make it a cornerstone of vintage Macallan collections.

Explore Vintage Macallan Masterpieces

If you admire pre-2010 age-stated malts, discover other rarities in our [Macallan Vintage Archive Collection].