SKENE RESERVE – MACALLAN 1989 30 YEAR OLD – 1ST FILL OLOROSO – Scotch Whisky News

Skene Scotch Whisky has just released a Skene Reserve “Macallan 1989 30 Year Old”,  which was drawn from 1st fill Oloroso single cask 152034.   This naturally dark beauty was distilled in May 1989 and bottled in September 2019 at the cask strength of 43.2% ABV.

The cask yielded only around 100 bottles.   Some of this Macallan went to Japan.   Skene Scotch Whisky retained the remainder of the whisky in glass in bond,  with the plan of releasing it in new super-premium packaging.   However, having many, many challenges with suppliers before and through the pandemic,  the company thought it better to bottle now using the same bottles and boxes as used for previous Macallan bottlings.   This has enabled Skene Scotch Whisky to offer this sherried Macallan 30 Year Old for the incredible price of just £1,480 for a 70cl bottle.

Skene Reserve 1989 30 Year Old is available now from Skene Scotch Whisky’s online shop at MACALLAN 1989 30 Years Old Single Malt – Skene Scotch Whisky (skenewhisky.com)

SKENE RESERVE – MACALLAN 1989 30YO 

Bottle Name   
Macallan 1989

Bottler   
Skene Scotch Whisky

Bottler’s Website
www.skenewhisky.com

Brand / Series  
Skene Reserve

Category  
Single Cask Malt

Cask Number   
152034

Cask Type  
Slightly bigger than normal quarter cask?

Finish    
First Fill Oloroso

Size  
70cl

Strength  
43.2%

Number of Bottles 
100 bottles approx.

Packaging
Skene Reserve wooden box

Fill-level  
Just into neck

Distilled / Vintage  
May 1989

Bottled 
September 2019

Stated Age 
30 years old

Release Date 
August 2021

Filtered or Unchillfiltered
Unchillfiltered

Coloured or Natural Colour
Natural Colour

Distillery
Macallan

Region  
Speyside

Retail Price 
£1,499

Where available
MACALLAN 1989 30 Years Old Single Malt – Skene Scotch Whisky (skenewhisky.com)

Comments 

Skene initially bought this cask about 9 years ago.  We believe it had been re-racked before we bought it, but don’t know for sure.  The yield was just over a 100 bottles and 80 went to Japan.  Skene had the rest – approx. 20 bottles – sitting in glass in bond with the plan of releasing  the whisky in super premium packaging.  However, having many, many challenges with suppliers before and through the pandemic, we eventually thought it better to just bottle using the same glassware and boxes as with our previous Macallan releases.
 

 

Notes about Skene Scotch Whisky – After a few years away from bottle sales, Skene Whisky are releasing bottlings from a number of ranges.  “Skene Reserve” are single cask premium bottlings of vintage malt whisky (eg the above-mentioned Macallan 30yo).   “Skene Sherry Editions” will be sherry-matured single malts (48% ABV) aimed squarely at drinkers.  “Skene American Oak “Editions” will be ex-bourbon single malt bottlings (again at 48% ABV).  “Skene Peated Malt Editions” will be peated single malt expressions (yet again at 48% ABV).