There are a few bottles that you don’t want any oxidization to occur. This is one of them. In my experience sherried scotch which is not bottled at cask strength has mostly negative effects from oxidization, whereas peated scotch or most things cask strength/barrel proof benefit with air in the bottle. After the bottle is about 1\5 gone I use Wine Enthusiast Private Preserve Wine Preservation Spray after every time I pop the cork. I have not noticed any change in this whisky within the 18+ months the bottle has been open. You can find it at select LCBO’s or on Amazon for about $12-$16/can. I highly recommend it for bottles you plan on keeping open for extended time.

Macallan 18 (Sherry) 1997 Vintage, 43% ABV, $205 USD

• Nose: Big bold sherry, raisins, plums, figs, oranges, toffee, fudge, leather, pipe smoke. Remember Cavendish & Harvey hard candies that were covered in sugar powder? They came in a circle tin? I get that very specific note. And of course those classic Macallan wood tannins .
• Taste: Almost everything reflected on the nose is present on the pallet. So much juicy sherry, heavy plums and raisins. Slight orange, vanilla, rich fudge, and a hint of ginger.
• Finish: Long, good viscosity, the flavors burst off your taste buds! This is something truly special.
• Thoughts: If you’ve read my other Macallan reviews you know I’m partial to the 12 and Edition 2. I love the rich boldness of Macallan’s sherried products, but this expression takes it to the next level! Is the Mac 18 overpriced? Well I didn’t subtract any points for value, because I think a 92.5\100 is worth $200 US. I have seen prices much higher, and the older the vintage the more the price climbs. Costco in the US still sells it for around $200 and I see people hunting these bottles from small shops for around the same price. 100% a must buy for that price.
• Score: 92.5 + 0 value point(s) = 92.5/100