The Macallan 'Royal Marriage' 1981 Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

"I guess there’s no need to tell you why they did this bottling. Colour: Amber. Nose: It does remind me of some old style Macallan (we’re very far from the Fine Oak series here) but without any biggish fruity sherry. In fact, it’s quite austere and dry, rather on dark chocolate and leather. Also touches of bitter oranges, ginger tonic and a little wet cardboard. Pippa was more impressive! Becomes a tad more aromatic after a good ten minutes (more oranges and more tree bark) but it never becomes ‘big’. Mouth: Classic youngish sherry monster, with all what’s needed but a slight roughness that makes it ‘unfinished’, so to speak. Simply too young? Bitter oranges, black raisins, bitter chocolate and some gingery notes that are a tad inappropriate here in my opinion. Finish: rather long, with some green spices from the oak on top of the bitter oranges. Grassy aftertaste. Comments: I think this is a little too raw and youngish for such an occasion – and such a price. Lacks polishing. I liked the previous generation a lot better (WF 88) but it’s true that they had chosen casks from Charles and Diana’s birth years (1948 and 1961) instead of newish vintages such as 1996 and 1999."
81 Points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com