Macallan, Highland Single Malt M Copper Annual Release Bottled 2023 Decanter, Speyside

The M Collection release built around the curiously small stills. Because Macallan's stills are unusually small, the alcohol vapour has less distance to travel before it condenses, so the heavier vapours reach the condenser instead of falling back into the boil — and the spirit comes off dense and full-bodied. That is the character the whole house rests on. The Lalique crystal decanter is copper-coloured for the stills themselves, and the spun gold in the glass is natural, not added.

The Macallan's tasting notes: pear and white peach, a buttery, viscous mouth coating bursting with fruit and a hint of sweet malt; a finish of toasted oak.